William McLaughlin

William (Bill) McLaughlin of Chambersburg passed away on January 23rd, 2021, at the Chambersburg Hospital. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and brother, and good friend to many. His smile, sense of humor, quick wit, and story-telling ability will be missed by those who knew him.

He was born May 1st, 1949, at Germantown Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Bill grew up on Beech Lane in Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania, as the middle son of the late Harry Rowan and Mary (Christine) McLaughlin. He was a 1967 graduate of Springfield Township (Montgomery County) High School and a 1972 graduate of Penn State, receiving a degree in hotel and restaurant management. He was a member of the Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity. During his time at the University Park campus, he met his loving wife of 47 years, Sue, and made many lifelong friends.

Bill first worked in the food service industry. He managed several restaurants in the area, including the Graeffenburg Inn, and later served as food service director at the Fulton County Medical Center and the Chambersburg Hospital. Bill then acquired a real estate license and spent the better part of his professional life in that field. He was proud of his part in the sale of the Penn Hall College campus and the development of Nicholson Square. In later years, he became involved in prison health research, helping those incarcerated in Pennsylvania state prisons with nicotine addiction and tobacco dependence. He was trained as a Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist. Bill spent close to 10 years working alongside state policymakers and researchers from Columbia University and Rutgers University to develop programs for those in our carceral system.

Upon moving to Chambersburg in the 1970s, Bill built roots in the community and desired to help make it a better place for all residents. He was a member of Chambersburg Borough Council for 24 years, serving 10 years as Finance Chair and 10 years as Council President. He actively represented Chambersburg in the Pennsylvania Municipal League (formerly the Pennsylvania League of Cities and Municipalities), serving as a long-standing member of the Board of Directors and PLCM President from 2000-2001. Truly a dedicated public servant, he was known to work late into the night researching varied subjects such as landfill gas projects, electric power purchase agreements, and nutrient credits so that he could better serve the residents of Chambersburg. He made great friends on both sides of the political aisle and was fond of saying that there is no such thing as a Republican or Democratic pothole.

He was a past member of the Chambersburg Exchange Club and former member of the Franklin County Area Development Corporation Board of Directors. He had also served on the Board of Directors of Downtown Chambersburg, Inc. and the Elm Street Advisory Committee. He was a member of the Orrstown Masonic Lodge, a life member of the Penn State Alumni Association, a member of the Nittany Lion Club, and served on the Capitol Theatre Center Board of Directors.

Bill had many interests that he enjoyed immensely. He cherished fall Saturdays watching the Penn State Nittany Lions in State College with his family and friends. As a native son of Philadelphia, he was a lifelong fan of the Eagles and Phillies. Bill was an avid reader, particularly enjoying books about history. As a result, he always had a unique factoid to add to any conversation. He will be greatly missed by his Tuesday trivia team. His greatest joy was time spent with his granddaughter, Alina. He loved being Pop-pop, introducing her to the simple pleasures of small-town life. He was a master at reading Christmas Eve stories, cooking s’mores in the backyard, and accompanying Alina on scooter rides around the block.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, Eric (wife: Pamela, to whom he was like a father) and Christopher, both of New York City, one granddaughter, Alina, two brothers, Harry J. (wife: Amparo), of Windermere, Florida, and John A. (partner: Charlotte Kennedy), of Langhorne, Pennsylvania, a sister-in-law, Ann Niculescu (husband: Adam) of Midlothian, VA, four cousins, Thomas and William Mooney and William and Kevin Christine, and many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends, all of whom he loved dearly. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two cousins, Charles Patrick “Pat” Mooney and Kathryne “Kathy” (Christine) Hargreaves.

A Celebration of Bill’s Life will be held 1:00 P.M., Saturday, July 24, 2021 in the Grant Street Loft, 227 Grant Street, Chambersburg, PA 17201. Arrangements are by Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home and Cremation Center, Chambersburg.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Capitol Theatre Center, 159 South Main Street, Chambersburg, PA 17201.

Condolences may be shared at www.geiselfuneralhome.com.