My deepest condolences to the entire McLaughlin family. Uncle Fred was a dear friend of my Dad and my Uncle Buddy…they are all three in heaven now together keeping each other company!!!

Many fond lifelong memories of family fun with everyone!!

Love and prayers, Nancy Koca Bennett

May Fred rest in peace.
“Good and faithful servant, enter into my kingdom”

So sorry to hear about Fred’s death. I wish I wold have know earlier so I could give you all a hug. Such a nice man.

We are so sorry for your loss. Fred will be missed. He was a true friend and loved life! The years of working with him at the Zoo and then listening to him practicing his bagpipes are truely good memories. Having him play at my wedding was truely a blessing that will stay in my heart always. We know he is in a better place but it doesnt make it any easier.

The death of a loved one is difficult to bear, but the memories of that one will help during those hard times. We know you all have many fond memories and pray that they will bring you comfort. Our sympathies to the McLaughlin family.

To All of Fred’s Family:

I am so sorry you have lost your Dad. He was one great guy. I cannot make the wake since my grandson is graduating from Med School and I will be away all week-end. My sincere condolences to all. Great memories are with all of us, those days back then were a lot of fun. Memories are great and keep them for ever.

Dorothy Fara

My sincerest sympathies to all family and friends of Mr. McLaughlin. I hope you all find loving comfort in each other during this sad time.

Liz Payne
Wilson and Wilson co-worker.

The students at Prospect School and I will remember Fred for his laugh and deep reading voice. He was a senior reader for my second grade class for many years. Fred also shared his experiences in World War Two and his pride in his children and grandchildren with us. We especially enjoyed his playing the bagpipes.I think now, Fred is playing his bagpipes with the angels. He will be sorely missed. We loved you, Fred!

From this day forward, I will forever treasure Fred’s memory on Veteran’s and St. Patrick’s Days – his love of both was contagious! Fred was a devoted participant in the Prospect School Senior Reading Program… even after his grandchildren had graduated. He’d come to the office early and “hold court”, entertaining us with his many humorous stories. Who can forget his deep laugh and twinkling eyes?! Thank you for sharing this special grandfather with us!

Very sorry for your loss. From everything I understand he was a special man. May his life continue through the life you lead.

Fred always knew what to say to get my attention and make me laugh! He always greeted me with a “Hello Love,” and will be greatly missed at Prospect! During out last visit he spoke mostly of Sean and Mac and how proud he was of them!!!!!! As I said before, my life is better since Fred was a part of it!

Our condolences to the entire family. I have no other word to describe my contacts with Fred as simply Awesome. He was the best, a very sincere kind and caring individual. I’m going to have to find the vhs tape I have of him playing the Pipes out at the Springfield Law Enforcement Memorial years ago. RIP my friend.

My condolences to Fred’s Family and friends…Freddy is the best…always a smile, a joke and a positive outlook…

Freddy, you will always be with us for the hearts you touched…you will always be remembered.

We are so sorry to hear that Fred passed away. He was a very special friend to my mother Mattie Reid. He will be very missed. He was a pen pal to my niece Alison and always made her feel special. I wrote to him and he always wrote back!! He will be missed dearly. May God help you all through this difficult time!!

The staff and students at Clarendon Hills Middle School are sincerely sorry for your loss. Mr. McLaughlin demonstrated his love for his family and his years in service to our country through our World War II Days. He was a great speaker and a wonderful inspiration to us all. He will surely be missed and always remembered here.

Fred was a great friend to all of law enforcement. He regularly donated his time and talents with the bag pipes for the annual Riverside Police Department’s Law Enforcement day, All of us in the law enforcement field mourn his passing. He will definitely be missed. I know he will be playing his pipes each time one of us in law enforcement reaches the pearly gates of heaven.

Retired Chief of Police
Gene Karczewski

On behalf of Chief McCollum and the men and women of the LaGrange Park Police Department, we extend our deepest and heartfelt sympathies to all family and friends of Fred McLaughlin. His contagious smile and gentle demeanor will be remembered and missed by us all.

Fred,

Thank you for the great piping you did for my family. You piped at my oldest son’s wedding and then for my youngest son you piped at his Chicago PD graduation and then for his funeral when he was killed in the line of duty. I can never repay you for the beautiful music. My heart goes out to all of your loved ones. Continue to keep watch over all of them.

I was very sad to hear about Fred. I have so many great memories I wouldn’t even know where to begin… My sincere condolences to the family.
Mark Tuma
Retired Commander, Riverside, IL PD
Chief of Police, Cloverdale, CA PD

I worked with Fred when he was a special policeman on La Grange Park Police. I was a regular officer and we spent many nights on patrol together. Fred was always positive and of a good nature. I admit I have not seen him in many years as our lives went different directions. But I shall always remember his smile and good nature. Not much more need be said about a good man.

Fred, From one old war horse to another, I’ll miss you and your great smile. I’ll miss our great talks and companionship, especially our trips over the many roads with the band. The Pipes & Drums will never be the same without you. Rest in Peace, My friend. Till we meet again.

We are all thinking how we can do without John Wayne,especially on St. Pat’s day.
Knowing your old friends share in your grief may in some small way comfort you in your bereavement.
Prayers go out to Fred and his whole family. Bud & Mare

Fred’s smile. Fred’s booming voice. Fred’s laughter. They will be with me forever. Memories of Fred and his brother, Jay, along with their families and the Rowan clan, are etched in my brain forever from the days that they would come to “the farm” for a weekend of fun and games – hunting, storytelling, feasting, storytelling, working, storytelling, drinking a few drafts, storytelling ….. Fred’s voice and his laughter could be heard above all others. No surprise that he’d choose the bagpipes as his preferred musical instrument – when he’d play them at our annual McLaughlin reunion in rural Amboy (Maytown actually), I’m sure that he put everyone within a five mile area into a frenzy.
My prayer for his family is that memories of Fred will quickly bring a smile to their faces before it brings a tear to their eyes. I’m already there.
We love you Fred.

So very sorry about the loss of such a super guy! Both of us worked with Fred at Brookfield Zoo and he was always a friendly soul with a smile on his face. We have many fond memories of working with him.

Our prayers to the family. Fred was an awesome person. I will always remember his practicing of the bagpipes in the Zoo ticket booth. He was a person that I am proud to saw I knew!
Ed and Kathy