Rev. Joseph McLaughlin, S.S.E H’18, ’66

Rev. Joseph McLaughlin, S.S.E H’18, Colchester, VT, died February 21, 2025, following a long period of declining health.

Fr. Joe was born in Boston and educated in Boston and Weymouth, MA, public schools, and at Archbishop Williams High School in Braintree, MA. 

He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Saint Michael’s College in 1966, and his Bachelor of Sacred Theology degree from the University of Saint Michael’s College, Toronto, Ontario in 1969, as well as his Master of Arts degree from the University of Saint Michael’s College, Toronto, in 1972. He pursued further studies at the University of Saint Michael’s College, Harvard University, University of Lausanne in Switzerland, Boston College, Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, and at the National University of Ireland in Galway, Ireland (Ph.D. 1999).

He professed his first vows in the Society of Saint Edmund on August 22, 1964, and was ordained to the priesthood at Saint Michael’s College on May 16, 1970. For many years, until his retirement, he served on the faculty and in administrative positions at Saint Michael’s, including as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees from 1986 to 1990. He was proud of his civic participation with the Colchester Fire District No. 1. Among his many ministries within the Society of Saint Edmund, he served as Superior General from 1986 to 1990.

Fr. Joe was awarded an Honorary Degree from Saint Michael’s College in 2018. He was professor emeritus of religious studies and was recipient of the Joanne Rathgeb Teaching Award in 1996 and of the National Alumni President’s Award to the Society of St. Edmund in 1991. 

He is survived by a brother, two sisters and extended family including niece Erin Thomas’04.