Daniel J. McLaughlin, Pfizer retiree
Daniel “Dan” Joseph McLaughlin, 84, of Lewes, passed away Tuesday, March 10, 2015, at Cadbury at Lewes from complications of Alzheimer’s disease. Dan was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., March 18, 1930, the oldest of five children of the late John McLaughlin and Susan (McCann) McLaughlin of County Donegal, Republic of Ireland.
Dan was a 1948 graduate of St. Michael’s High School in Brooklyn, N.Y. In 1952, he graduated from Saint John’s University in Queens, N.Y. with a bachelor of science degree in chemistry. Dan served in active duty with the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1954, including an overseas tour to Korea. He was honorably discharged in 1954, having attained the rank of sergeant.
After completing military service, Dan was employed as a chemist with Charles Pfizer & Co. in Brooklyn. On Nov. 13, 1954, he married Mary Helen Tracy, also of Brooklyn, at St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church in Brooklyn. While continuing his career as a chemist at Pfizer, he was awarded a master's degree in business administration in 1974 by Adelphi University, Long Island, N.Y. During the same year, Dan became a corporate purchasing manager with Pfizer, Inc. at its corporate headquarters in Manhattan.
In 1982, Dan was selected by Pfizer to serve on President Ronald Reagan’s Private Sector Survey on Cost Control, commonly known as the Grace Commission. The Grace Commission made recommendations for improvements in government operations based on private sector practices. Dan participated in a team that made recommendations for improving government purchasing practices. Dan received a letter of commendation from President Reagan for his work on the commission. After his work with the commission, Dan returned to Pfizer where he worked as a CPM until his retirement in 1990.
Upon retirement, Dan and Mary moved from their home in West Hempstead, Long Island, to Fenwick Island. In retirement Dan was active in community and civic affairs in Fenwick Island. He was a member and past president of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Emerald Isle Division 1 in Ocean City, Md. He was also a member and past officer of Knights of Columbus Council 9053 in Ocean City. He was a Eucharistic Minister and coordinator at Saint Luke's Parish in Ocean City. In 2012, Dan and Mary moved to Cadbury at Lewes. Since 2012, Dan was a parishioner at Saint Jude the Apostle Catholic Church in Lewes.
In addition to his parents, Dan was preceded in death by his sister, Evelyn McLaughlin. He is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Mary McLaughlin of Lewes; his sister, Mary Baker of Glen Cove, L.I., N.Y.; his two brothers: John McLaughlin of Rumson, N.J. and Edward McLaughlin of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.; his 21 nieces and nephews; and many other relatives and close friends.
The family would like to thank the Cadbury staff, caregivers and Vitas Hospice for their wonderful care and attention.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, March 21, at 11 a.m., at St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church, 152 Tulip Drive, Lewes. Friends may visit Friday, March 20, from 4 to 8 p.m., at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes. Interment will be held at a later time at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Millsboro.
Memorial contributions may be made in Dan’s memory to Alzheimer's Association, DE Valley chapter, P.O. Box 625, Georgetown, DE 19947.
Please visit Dan’s Life Memorial Webpage and sign his online guestbook at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.
