John McLaughlin III

John James McLaughlin III – A Life of Faith in Action

When the Diocese of St. Augustine needed a new vision and savvy fundraising for its schools, John McLaughlin went into action. Building a task force of thirty, they revitalized the Catholic schools and made it possible for far more children to be able to attend.

When John became an engaging participant in the storytelling movement in America, he readily understood the need for financial guidance for his fellow artists. He created and led workshops for storytellers to help them examine their VVM—Vision, Values, and Mission—to create a stronger foundation for their business plans. This work fueled artistic careers and inspired life-long friendships.

When family, friends, or colleagues needed anything—anything—once John perceived the need, he did his best to fill it.

Interpreting the Bible verse 2:18 from The Epistle from St. James as demonstrating one’s “faith in action,”[1] John embodied his faith daily through his generosity in word, deed, and spirit.

John James McLaughlin III was born on January 10, 1948 in Philadelphia, the oldest of four boys—all bright, all handsome, all interesting conversationalists. Educated at St. Matthew’s Elementary and Father Judge High School in Mayfair, a predominantly Irish and Italian section of the city, John was early on noted for his basketball prowess, though it was nipped in the bud by his development into a short, stocky guy with great hair, just like his grandfather, PopPop Young. His love of sports remained a highlight his entire life.

John had met Mary Updike in college and they were married the summer of 1971. Their first daughter, Frannie was born in 1973 and Sara came along in 1974. In between the births of his daughters, John earned his Master’s Degree in Engineering.

John’s Engineering education as well as a strong independent streak spurred him on to start his own sales rep company with colleague Ernie Trotten in wastewater treatment equipment in 1976 in Jacksonville, Florida.

That same year John and Mary took a bold step and expanded their family, adopting mixed-race children, son Joey, and then son John, five and a half years later. A deeply faithful family, they were involved in church activities on every level and their family thrived.

A robust, energetic, and engaging man, John lived his life as a servant. The Diocese of St. Augustine and John McLaughlin have been long associates. John’s children attended St. Paul’s and Bishop Kenny Schools. He served on the school board from 1981-1990, lead a number of task forces for the diocese to determine the future of the schools, headed up the capital campaign which raised millions of dollars to support church and educational endeavors, and with Mary, started Harbor House (now L’Arche Jacksonville), a residential home for adults with disabilities.

Though John and Mary’s marriage did not endure, their friendship and dedication to their family did.

The storytelling art form captured John around 1990 and he left the business he’d created at 28 and, employing his Irish birthright, studied and told stories at first here in Florida, and eventually leading workshops across the country. Simultaneously, he began working as a professional fundraiser. John received a Masters Degree in Storytelling in 1994. John also became a workshop leader in the men’s movement which was in full swing in the 1990s.

By that time, he had met Carol Pinney, and they married in 1996, beautifully blending their families to include their seven adult children. Those children have all married and produced a magnificent posse of loving and well-loved grandchildren, residing from Texas to Turkey.

In business, his “regular guy” demeanor, along with his sharp intelligence, knowledge of human nature, quick wit, and the ability to build relationships everywhere he went (for which he credits his business partner and dear friend, Bob Solomon), and supported by his innate Irish gift of gab and love of life, brought success to nearly every endeavor into which he poured his energy. In 2006, John rejoined the environmental business taking on his familiar rep work with the company he had founded, now run by Bob.

He is revered as a gifted leader and a stalwart, unwavering, and generous friend—and in every sense of the word—a family man. Stories abound in every branch of the Young-McLaughlin-Gerschefski families of how John supported his kin, as a good listener, as financial advisor, as kindred spirit, sometimes offering tangible help as well as spiritual.

John and Carol have shared a remarkable love that spills over and embraces all. They have that uncanny and desirable combination of respect for one another and joy in one another. They are loving and supportive, yet honest and very real—and they are friends. After twenty years of marriage, they renewed their vows in November of 2016.

When John’s illness was diagnosed in the summer of 2016, he shared the news with a close friend, saying, “You know, I’ve had a wonderful life, a wonderful family. I have no regrets. I’m just grateful for everything I’ve had.”

John died at his home surrounded by family on March 8, 2017 after a valiant battle with cancer.

John is survived by his wife Carol; daughter Frances and husband Doug Hughes, Dougie and Mack; daughter Sara and husband Jamie Schockley, and Ben; son Joe McLaughlin and sons Amari and Isaac; son John McLaughlin and wife Shanalee, and Kahlil, Nyah, and Gideon; son Charlie Gerschefski and wife Mary, and Timmy, Stephen, and Josh; son John Gerschefski and wife Melinda, Gabriel and John Roderick; daughter Amy and husband Engin Utkan, Buse and Arda; by his three brothers, Joe and wife Christine McLaughlin; Jim and wife Maria McLaughlin; and Dave and wife Holly McLaughlin; and all their children. He is also survived by Mary Updike and Shirley Leeks. He is also survived by his much-cherished boyhood friends from Philly, college friends, golf buddies, colleagues in the environmental and storytelling businesses, and the Catholic community of St. Paul’s. John was predeceased by his parents, John and Mary (Young) McLaughlin; and his son Danny in 1978.

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Visitation will be at Quinn Shalz at 3600 3rd St. South, Jacksonville Beach on Monday, March 13; 5-7 PM.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Paul’s at 1st Avenue North and 5th Street, Jacksonville Beach on Tuesday, March 14 at 11 AM.

A private burial is planned.

In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made in John’s memory to: L’Arche Jacksonville, 700 Arlington Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32211, 904 721-5992; or to: Guardian Catholic Schools, 6675 Corporate Center Parkway #330, Jacksonville, FL 32216, 904 765-1920.http://www.guardiancatholicschools.org/donate.

[1] “It is by my deeds that I will show you my faith . . . As a body without a spirit is dead, so is faith without deeds.” The Epistle of St. James; Chapter 2; Verses 18 and 26