He was one of those guys that was always there - behind the scenes - and unobtrusively working within local civic organizations to improve the Levittown community. I supposed "unobtrusive" might reflect his paradoxic character and he was, indeed, quite a character.

Tom McLaughlin passed away on June 15, 2006 after a long illness. A World War II veteran and early Levittown resident (whose home was kept very close to its original condition), Tom McLaughlin had more than his share of hardships in this life. The loss of a wife and disabled child, for example. Yet as much as life took from him, he managed to give much to life. Patrons of gamboling boats out of Freeport doubtless remember Tom, abrupt persona and all, as something of a fixture for Tom loved games of chance and often made a decent profit. But it was within Tom's work in local charitable and nonprofit organizations that he really shined and donated so much to the people of Levittown. Very active with St. Francis Church in Levittown, Tom was a longtime member of the board of directors of YOM and I had the pleasure and good fortune of working with him on the board of the Levittown Historical Society.

Tom had a hard life. He worked for many years in local government. Both, I suppose, are formulas for cynicism and he was not without a touch of it. Still, it kept his head out of the clouds and his affairs down to brass tacks and bequeathed him a certain caustic wit and humor that provided comic relief during problematic situations.

So long Tom, you will be missed.

Paul Manton

Vice President, Levittown Historical Society