Father Joseph Michael McLaughlin, Jr., S.S.E. died on February 21, 2025 following a long period of declining health.

Father McLaughlin was born in Boston, MA on August 16, 1943 the son of Joseph Michael McLaughlin, Sr. and Mary E. (O'Hare) McLaughlin. He was educated in Boston and Weymouth, Massachusetts public schools, and at Archbishop Williams High School in Braintree, MA. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Saint Michael's College, Colchester, VT in 1966, and his Bachelor of Sacred Theology degree from the University of Saint Michael's College, Toronto, Ontario in 1969, as well as his Master of Arts degree from the University of Saint Michael's College, Toronto, in 1972. He pursued further studies at the University of Saint Michael's College, Harvard University, University of Lausanne in Switzerland, Boston College, Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, and at the National University of Ireland in Galway, Ireland (Ph.D. 1999).

He professed his first vows in the Society of Saint Edmund on August 22, 1964, and was ordained to the priesthood at Saint Michael's College on May 16, 1970. For many years, until his retirement, he served on the faculty and in administrative positions at Saint Michael's College, including as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees from 1986 to 1990. He was proud of his civic participation with the Colchester Fire District No. 1. Among his many ministries within the Society of Saint Edmund, he served as Superior General from 1986 to 1990.

Father McLaughlin is survived by his sisters and brother Mary Ann Cleary, Paul McLaughlin, and Ellen Thomas.

Visiting hours will be held in the Chapel of Saint Michael the Archangel on the campus of Saint Michael's College, Winooski Park, Colchester on Friday March 7, from 7pm to 9pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the Chapel on Saturday March 8, at 11:00am. Interment will be in the spring at Merrill Cemetery, across from the college. .