Earl McLaughlin

Earl McLaughlin was born on November 14, 1932, in Renfrew County. He passed away peacefully on March 10, 2024, at Queensway-Carleton Hospital in Ottawa, ON after a 4-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Earl was a kind and warm person, who had a story or joke for every occasion. Earl joined the Royal Canadian Navy at the young age of 18, climbing to the rank of Naval Officer by the time he retired in 1968. During his service, Earl was a navigator as well, directing the ships via stars and maps. After retiring from the Navy, Earl also worked for CBC Radio and the National Capital Commission as their Chief Accountant.

Earl met the love of his life, “Joannie”, at the age of 16 and they were married in 1954. They traveled the world together and lived in various places; to name a few: Victoria BC, Halifax NS, England, and Scotland. They settled in Kanata ON in 1968 with their three children. Their love of travel continued into their late life as they joined a traveling wine club and a local gourmet club. Earl was a very talented woodworker, singer, and musician as well – he even dedicated those talents to his community at both Kanata Theatre, constructing sets for various productions, and was a member of the Kanata United Church choir.

Earl was a loving and supportive husband, father, grandfather, and brother, and will be dearly missed by both his family and community. He was a devoted husband to the late Joan until her last day (2021), and a generous father to Donna, the late Beth (Michael), and Brian (Margaret). He is fondly remembered by his granddaughters: Courtney (Alexandra), Amy (Zachary), and Sarah. He was the oldest of two children, survived by his dear sister Margaret (Bert).

Thank you to the doctors, nurses, and staff at QCH for Earl’s care and comfort. Thank you as well to the nurses, PWs, and staff at Bridlewood Trails Retirement Community for Earl’s care since June 2021.

A mass will be held for Earl at Kanata United Church on Monday, May 27th at 1:00pm. A reception for family and friends to remember Earl’s bright life will follow at his daughter Donna’s house. For reception details, please email her at donna.boire@gmail.com.

Kanata United Church: 33 Leacock Dr, Ottawa, ON K2K 2B9

If you would like to make a charitable donation in Earl’s memory, his family welcomes donations to the Alzheimer Society of Ontario (you can donate via the website link).