Mark Francis McLaughlin
June 15, 1951 - August 24, 2013
Obituary
MADISON-Mark Francis McLaughlin, age 62, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2013, after a courageous 19 month battle against esophageal cancer. He was born on June 15, 1951, in Appleton, the beloved son of Eugene and Joyce McLaughlin. Mark graduated from UW-Oshkosh and taught at McFarland High School for 35 years. He coached football, track, and women’s professional football. Mark enjoyed running, traveling, cars, yard work, remodeling, and his pets, Macky and Bucky.
Mark was a beloved son, brother, teacher, friend and coach. He is survived by his mother, Joyce McLaughlin; sister, Pat (Mike) Sexton; brothers, Jeff (Amy) McLaughlin and Greg (Lisa) McLaughlin; nieces and nephews, Kelly (Jess) Sexton, Ann (Dan) Ginstead, Megan (Jeremy) Wood, Matt (Kate) McLaughlin, Beth McLaughlin, Mitch McLaughlin, and Cooper McLaughlin. He was preceded in death by his father, Eugene Francis McLaughlin; paternal grandparents, Ed and Mary McLaughlin; and maternal grandparents, Louis and Veronica Kort.
Funeral services for Mark will be held at ST. DENNIS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 505 Dempsey Rd., Madison at 3 pm on Sunday, Sept. 1, 2013. Private burial will be in Holy Name Cemetery in Kimberly. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Dr. Madison, from 3:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
“I wish to extend a very special thanks to my sister, Pat; brother-in-law, Mike; Jean Hodge and to the staff and donors at Turville Bay, St. Mary’s Hospital and Surgical Procedures, and the staff at Dean Care Oncology and Agrace HospiceCare. I also want to express my gratitude to the American Red Cross for the many pints of life they have made available to me. Please find your nearest blood drive and give, give, give the Gift of Life; and keep on giving. In lieu of flowers, a gift will be given to the Red Cross and a scholarship fund has been started in Coach Mac’s name with the McFarland Educational Foundation.”
“To my friends, family, students and those who played for me: If you are reading this, then it must mean that I have moved on and it’s time for me to say goodbye. It has been a great ride and each and every one of you have contributed to my life being very rich and rewarding. I have a lifetime of memories and smiles spent with you in the classroom, the driver ed car, the gym, the practice and playing field and just about any place we gathered. We had more laughs and successes than we did tears and failures. I have been truly blessed with the best family, the best friends, the best colleagues, and the best students and athletes to ever enter a high school doorway or to step onto a playing field. I grew up with the best, played with the best, and tried to pass on my best to those interested. Thanks for allowing me to be part of your life. I hope that I was as big a part in your life as you were in mine! I hope I was a good son, brother, uncle, and a good brother in law. By the time you read this, Gene(dad), Mackie, Bucky and I will have gone for a walk and Grandpa and Mamie and I will be loading up for a trip. So don’t cry because I am gone, but smile for the times we shared. For those who have been caught off guard by this news, I chose to keep my “condition” very private. I never wanted to be the topic of discussion, I never wanted any one to feel bad for me. My message to you has always been to be upbeat, positive and encouraging. Why change now? Remember the great experiences we shared and the level of success we attained. In remembrance of me, please consider donating blood as often as you can. It will mean more to me than you will ever know, and perhaps even more to the people you don’t know.”
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608)221-5420
Events
Visitation
Sat Aug 31, 2013 @ 3:30 PM - 7:30 PM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Madison • 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, WI 53716
Service
Sun Sep 1, 2013 @ 3:00 PM CDT
St. Dennis Catholic Church (Madison) • 505 Dempsey Rd., Madison, WI null
Photos
Memories
PA
Paul Ackley
Other •
Coach Mac,
You taught us how to play with emotion and passion. You instilled in us an energy and enthusiaism for the game of football. You lead by example and expected our very best all the time. Thanks for everything. You are a fighter.
R
Rosanne
Other •
I had Mac as a drivers Ed teacher back in the late 70's. It was truly a fun time with him and his very unique sense of humor. He will be truly missed by all who's lives that he touched. RIP Mac.
J(
Jennifer Crowe (Buglass)
Other •
Mac was such an upbeat and positive man. I remember him literally bouncing through the hallways at MHS. I took behind-the-wheel in the summer and had to be at the school by 7 am. While I was grumpy about that, he always changed that by the time we were done. RIP Mac. All McFarland High students for 35 years were lucky to have had you.
TM
Timothy P. McFarland
Other •
I remember I was 15 and wanted to learn how to lift weights. Mark taught me how to squat, dead lift, and bench press. I had tried to find him on FB over the years with no luck. I wanted to talk with him as he was my favorite teacher at MHS. He did not know this but without him I would not have went on to break world records in power lifting. He was truly an inspirational person. Every gym class this man trusted that I was going to workout hard and he would unlock the door to the weight room for me during the gym class. I would even go to his apartment on Monona Drive to talk about football and power lifting. He was such a great listener. He once said to me "you are wise beyond your years". This man understood me when others did not. As a football coach I trusted him, because even though he did not say it, I could tell he saw the same political BS amongst other coaches. This was a very smart, wise and great man who helped many people. I will miss Mr McGlaughlin.
M
Marc
Other •
I was a senior at McFarland when Mac started teaching and coaching football. One day in the hall he was getting disrespected by some kids that he told not to goof around. A couple of us football players were not going to allow one of us to be disrespected, so we taught the boys a lesson in manners. Mac was a great guy and instantly likeable. He will be missed.
MP
Michelle (Zaemisch) Phillips
Other •
Rest in peace Mac, you where one of the BEST teachers EVER !! You will always be remembered. Thank you for taking the time to come to our 30 yr class reunion.
You will be missed !!
Michelle P.