Barry Arnold McLaughlin passed away from complications of Parkinson’s on March 31, 2022 in The Villages, Florida.
Barry, son of Harold and Elizabeth (Rott) McLaughlin was born on April 17, 1945, in Englewood, NJ. He attended New Milford High School in New Jersey, participating in varsity football, track, and gymnastics club, graduating in the class of 1963. After spending a year in the landscaping business, he attended Northeast Missouri State College, Kirksville, Mo. Here he joined the Phi Sigma Epsilon fraternity and graduated as senior class officer and class president with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education in 1968. Barry received his Master of Arts degree in Physical Education/Kinestheolgy from Ohio State University in 1969. He then moved to Illinois and taught Physical Education and coached gymnastics at Thornridge High School in Dolton, IL. On April 10, 1971 he was united in marriage to Kathleen Duncan in Faribault, MN. Moving to Brown Deer, Wisconsin, Barry taught Physical education at the elementary and middle school levels while coaching gymnastics. He was an innovative teacher promoting individual and team success in his classes. During this time, he coached four All-American gymnasts. Following his career in education Barry managed several fitness clubs and received his personal trainer certificate from the American College of Sports Medicine. Upon moving to Minnesota, he finalized his career as Manager of the Plymouth Creek Athletic Club in Plymouth, MN. He became a Silver Sneakers instructor at this time. Barry received a citation from the city of Plymouth for the work he had done in the community for the advancement of fitness.
Barry’s passion was fitness both in his career and private life. He began working out daily at 14 years of age and continued this routine throughout his life. At age 20, he was the New Jersey Junior State Weight Lifting champion. Barry participated in myriads of local runs, biathlons, triathlons, and the Chicago Marathon. The Bix7 in Moline, IL, became a yearly pilgrimage along with several friends. When he couldn’t run anymore, he walked. There were annual hiking/biking/running vacations with a couple of fraternity friends visiting numerous U.S. State parks from Oregon to Maine.
Barry loved to laugh and make people laugh and he also loved a party! St. Patrick’s, 4th of July, Halloween, and New Year’s parties were annual events, inclusive of a party on wheels bus on Halloween.
Barry is survived by his wife Kathleen McLaughlin, and his sister Barbara Trueheart, as well as eight nieces and nephews and their children and a multitude of friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Elizabeth McLaughlin, and his brother Brian Arthur McLaughlin.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 18, 2022, at 2:00p at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home of Faribault with Paster Jeff Sandgren officiating. A reception will follow the service at the Faribault Golf & Country Club.
Visitation will be held at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home on Saturday from 1:00p to 2:00p.
Memorials should be directed to The Michael J. Fox Foundation or The Parkinson’s Foundation.
