Bernard J. McLaughlin, 73

LACONIA — Bernard J. McLaughlin, 73, affectionately known as "Bernie," passed away peacefully on Saturday, Sept. 23, at his home in Long Bay, Laconia, surrounded by his loving family. He fought a brief but brave battle with liver cancer.

Bernie was born in Providence, Rhode Island, on March 11, 1950, son to the late Bernard J. McLaughlin Sr. and Mildred (Brand) McLaughlin. His family moved to Nashua, at a young age, where he attended school. He was the oldest of six children. Bernie graduated from Nashua High School in 1970, and in 1972, he married his high school sweetheart, Laurie Garner. Together they made their home in Nashua, where they had two children, Eric and Brooke. They enjoyed many family vacations to Disney World and the NH Lakes Region. Bernie and Laurie shared a wonderful 40 years together before her death in 2013. Bernie worked many years providing for his family at Improved Machinery and Saint Gobain, until his retirement in 2015.

In 2014, he met his loving and current partner, Maryann Keriazes. Together they built their home in Laconia. He enjoyed sitting on his front porch, "his happy place"engaging with anyone who passed by.

Bernie loved music, especially rock & roll, blues and fun times at karaoke. He had a passion for classic cars, driving his Mustang, traveling, working in the garden, going boating and was a sharp cribbage player. Bernie will be missed by many for his fun-loving, witty and caring personality. He made an excellent "Uncle Sam" leading the Fourth of July Parade of decorated golf carts in his local community, and he always carried silver dollar coins in his pocket to give to a young smiling face.

He is survived by his partner, Maryann Keriazes of Laconia; son, Eric McLaughlin and his wife Jeannie, and grandson, Andrue McLaughlin of Manchester; daughter, Brooke Wheeler and her husband Garry of Waterboro, Maine; sisters, Mary Jane Bayne of Amherst, Kathleen McLaughlin of Milford, and Nancy and her husband Donald Bulmer of Hudson; brother, Robert “Bob” McLaughlin and his wife Karen of Litchfield; two God-daughters, Amy Charron True of Manchester, and Erin Mirabelle of Derry; as well as many nieces and nephews, and several great-nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind his loving extended family, Alex Keriazes and his wife Krystle of Allenstown; granddaughter, Kennedy and grandson, Blake, who adored their “Papa”; and sister, Christine Egan and husband Colin of Manchester. In addition to his parents, Bernie was predeceased by his sister, Carole McLaughlin.

Bernie’s family would like to thank the caregivers of the Granite VNA Hospice for their compassionate support and care.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life to be held at the Conference Center at Blueberry Lane, Laconia, on Monday, Oct. 2, at noon.

For those who wish, the family suggests memorial donations in Bernie’s memory be made to Toys for Tots at toysfortots.org.

Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, Laconia, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, visit wilkinsonbeane.com.