Groton, CT – George R. Laughlin, 89, passed away peacefully on May 26, 2017, at Fairview surrounded by his family. He was a devoted son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and a proud veteran having served in the Navy and the Army.
George, known as “Bump” to his family and friends, was born and raised on Fishers Island, N.Y. He was the son of the late Thomas and Julia (McIntyre) Laughlin and is predeceased by his brother, Tom, his sister, Mary (Arnold) and his beloved wife of 56 years, Maija (Leskinen).
Bump is survived by his sister, Regina (Laughlin) Ward, of Groton; his children, Tim (Sara Brown) of New Milford, Nancy Lee (Bill Radicioni) of Mystic, George Jr. (LeAnna Baker) of Bozrah, and John (Deborah Shultz) of New London; his grandchildren, Denis Lee Jr., Tim Laughlin, Karina Baker, George Laughlin III, Elizabeth Laughlin; and his great-grandchildren, Dylan, Tristan, Lilliana and Leo; along with numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Bump worked for Pfizer Manufacturing in Groton for 37 years, starting out on swing shifts in production and moving to the accounting department. His retirement hobbies were yard sales, photography, family genealogy, donating memorabilia to the Fishers Island Museum, cheering on the UConn Women’s basketball team, and brick collecting, in particular, bricks manufactured on Fishers Island.
Bump loved sports, especially golf. He was a Fishers Island High School baseball and basketball star, a Little League coach, and a City of Groton recreation program basketball referee. He played many years in Pfizer’s tennis, bowling and golf leagues, and took up running at age 50. He was a member at Groton’s Shennecossett Golf Course and played there regularly. He also played golf as much as he could on Fishers Island.
Bump will be remembered in so many ways, especially for his ready wit for a good laugh and his lifelong “addiction” to Pepsi and ice cream, usually vanilla.
Bump’s family would like to thank the staff at Fairview for their kind and compassionate care.
His family will be receiving family and friends from 3 to 6 p.m. on June 16, in the parlor room at The Road Church, 903 Pequot Trail, Stonington, and again from 2 to 4 p.m. on June 17, at the Henry L. Ferguson Museum, Fishers Island. Please consider a donation in Bump’s name to the Henry L. Ferguson Museum, PO Box 554, Fishers Island, NY 06390.
Published in The Day on June 11, 2017
