Robert B. McLaughlin MD

Eastham, MA - Robert Bernard McLaughlin, M.D age 86, died peacefully at home after a long illness, with his loving wife by his side on February 7th, 2015. He was born on January 11, 1929 in Florence, VT to John and Antoinette (Desautels) McLaughlin.

He is survived by his wife Carol (Kelleher) McLaughlin; his daughters Maureen

McLaughlin and husband Gary of Waltham, VT, Patricia Mathison of Rutland, MA, Susan Potvin and husband Tom of Holden, MA; his sister Mary (McLaughlin) Currie of Unity, NH; his stepson Timothy Kelleher and his wife Lynnda of Denver, CO; his brother in law Father Patrick Duffy, and his sister in law Sharon Duffy of Hermitage, TN, and his former spouse Therese (Mulcahy) McLaughlin of Webster, MA. He was predeceased by his beloved daughter Elizabeth, and his brothers John (“Junior”) and Paul. His devoted grandchildren include Rachel, Meghan and Jeremy of Waltham, VT, Alexis and Brandon of East Orleans, MA, and Kaitlyn, Tyler and Nicholas of Holden, MA, along with many nieces and nephews.

In his early years in Florence he helped his parents run the corner general store, and when older, he mined the local marble quarries. He graduated from Saint Michael's College in 1952 pre-med, and the University of Vermont Medical School in 1956. Dr. McLaughlin was granted his Residency at Worcester City Hospital, where he practiced family medicine for over thirty years. He then retired to the Cape for some much deserved relaxation but found that his passion for medicine could not be left behind; he once again opened his own practice in Orleans, MA and served the Cape Codders with a handshake and a smile, emphasizing the best medicine is to be happy, live life to the fullest and to be grateful.

Dr. McLaughlin was a great man and a loving father. He married his best friend Carol, a devoted wife and nurse and they lived a peaceful, caring life together for over thirty years.

He could grow anything anywhere; a gardener by nature, gratefully sharing his harvest with all.He would often be seen driving his Model A to house calls dressed in a suit and tie toting apple pies in the rumble seat as his medical treatment.

A true Vermonter in his soul, he found solace in his final home on Cape Cod. He was a devout Catholic; a human who always tried to do his best; a truly good man. He will be deeply missed by many, and when you climb the hills of Vermont or walk the beaches of the Cape, know that he is walking with you.

A funeral mass will be held at 11a.m. on March7th at St. Joan of Arc, 61 Canal Road,Orleans, MA 02653, burial to follow at Evergreen cemetery in Eastham. All are welcome to gather and celebrate Dr. Bob's life following the ceremony. The family would especially like to thank all of the Town of Eastham emergency personnel as well as the Eastham Council on Aging for their kindness. Flowers may be sent to Nickerson Funeral Home Orleans, MA and donations can be sent to Joslin Clinic, One Joshua Place, Boston MA 02215.