Christopher Sean McLaughlin

Chris McLaughlin, inveterate quahogger and donut baker, proud Patriots and Red Sox fan, and consummate husband and father, finished last call as the lights went up on Sunday evening, April 3, 2022, and went home to be with his dear lord Jesus (and his dear brother Jon).

Chris was in word and deed the definitive family man and best friend. He cherished his wife, Steff, and his beloved kids Jake and Lexi. He was perhaps the kindest and humblest gentleman most of us have ever known. And he was chiseled from granite. He was as unwaveringly loyal and as fiercely protective of his family and his friends as he was generous to—and thoughtful of—quite literally everyone he met.

Once someone or something found its way into Chris McLaughlin’s heart, it was there forever. This includes his days at Moses Brown School in Rhode Island and at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York. At both schools, he forged a brotherhood of friendships that lasted a lifetime. They shared a love of beer, baseball, books, politics, debate, family, and so much more.

In the early 2000s, Chris opened Steff’s Sandwich Sensations (named by Chris), which was literally a sensation. Chris was the creator, accountant, busboy, delivery boy, and chef extraordinaire. People lined up for the grinders (many of them named for family and friends), but really they came for Chris.

Chris and Steff moved their young family to Cary, North Carolina in 2006. Here, Chris dedicated his life to being the best father on the planet. He more than succeeded. He was at every soccer game (both as coach and spectator), every meet, every school function—essentially every moment of Jake and Lexi’s lives. He was the best reader of stories (according to Jake he could have made a living from it), the first one to volunteer for chauffeur duties (he was the dad everyone wanted to ride with, anyway), and the kids’ number-one fan.

Chris was smart and witty and clever and passionately interested in history, politics, religion, and the human condition. His laugh was as easy as it was infectious. His memory for details, especially dates, times, and events, was legendary—maybe too reliable as many of us have come to rely on it too much. We’ll be lucky to get the decades right going forward.

While he is sorely missed by all of his friends and family, he leaves in his wake a profound sense of peace, love, joy, and gratitude. We were privileged to participate in a life so well-lived. Godspeed you magnificent child of God.

A celebration honoring Chris will be held Saturday, April 23, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. at the Page-Walker Arts and History Center, located just off of Kildare Farm Road in downtown Cary. Please come with your favorite story to share. We would love to hear them all.

119 Ambassador St, Cary, NC 27513, www.townofCary.org/recreation-enjoyment/facilities/page-walker-arts-and-history-center-1440

There will be an open house at the McLaughlin house beginning at 5 p.m. following the celebration. Everyone who loved Chris is welcome.

A GoFundMe page has been organized on behalf of the family. The link is here:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-honor-of-chris-mclaughlin?utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.apexfuneral.net for the McLaughlin family.