Bernard McLaughlin Obituary

Bernard Francis McLaughlin CHARLESTON - Bernard Francis "Mac" McLaughlin, 87, of Charleston, passed away suddenly February 1, 2023 at his residence. Bernard was a devoted husband to "his bride" Joyce B. McLaughlin for 56 wonderful years. His Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 PM Monday, February 6, 2023 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 5 St. Teresa Dr., Charleston. The Rite of Committal will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. The family will receive friends between 3:00 and 5:00 PM Sunday afternoon at the James A. McAlister Funeral Home, 1620 Savannah Hwy. The Rosary will be recited at 4:30 PM. Bernard was born in Charleston on December 3, 1935, the firstborn to Joseph and Clemmie McLaughlin. He graduated from Bishop England High School. He was a devout Catholic and a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, where he was one of the inaugural members of Perpetual Adoration. He was also a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. Mac was a lifelong businessman. He began working at a very young age. He would often share tales of his bicycle paper route and the mischief he and his friends would get in to. He had a great love for automobiles, which continued to grow as he became a partner in the opening of Auto Supply and Equipment. Other than his family, this was one of his proudest accomplishments. Years later, he opened Bullet Deliveries and co-ran the business until he finally left the workforce in 2019. Mac was a stern yet compassionate employer who truly believed employees worked with you, not for you. He believed an owner didn't ask an employee to do something he himself would not do. Mac loved his family, his faith, his city and his Irish heritage. His love for his family was immeasurable. He was the rock we all leaned on for support. He was a loving husband, daddy, and PaPa. He loved his family wholeheartedly and unconditionally, no matter the circumstances. He loved his "grandchilrun" and enjoyed taking them on strolls down King Street and telling them all about his beloved Charleston. He was a tour guide for Charleston Tourism, but nothing could beat a PaPa tour. He loved having his family with him as he proudly attended the Ancient Order of Hibernians' St. Patrick's Day parade. Bernard especially enjoyed large extended family gatherings and celebrations: holidays, Sundays, births, baptisms, all of them. He thoroughly enjoyed asking the grands which blessing they would like him to say. After the dinner he could be found sitting on the porch chatting with family and sharing tales. He was the definition of a family man. Bernard is survived by his wife, Joyce; his children, Daria McLaughlin Tompkins (Tommy) and Joseph Francis McLaughlin II; his grandchildren, Joseph Tompkins (Rae), Jacob McLaughlin and Darby Tompkins; his two great-grands, Sullivan and Michael Tompkins; siblings, Robert (Somay), Marie Lillvik (Carl), Joseph (Lucretia), Kathleen, Kathy, MJ Kelly and Michael (Lou). He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Timothy. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Bishop England Alumni Legacy Scholarship, 363 Seven Farms Drive, Charleston, SC 29492. Arrangements by James A. McAlister, Inc. (843) 766-1365. Visit our guestbook at legacy.com/obituaries/charleston