"Tuner" Leo Mclaughlin (the 2nd)
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Leo Ambrose Mclaughlin the 2nd. Leo was born on August 3rd, 1926 in the town of Creighton, of which he was fiercely proud.
But most people knew him by his nickname: Tuner. He got this nickname when he was playing baseball as a kid. The other kids all called him Junior, but during one play, one excited youngster yelled out "Tuner" instead, and the name stuck.
Tuner's father (Leo McLaughlin the 1st) was an lrish American who came to Canada from Michigan to play baseball and work in Creighton Mine. His mother, Annie Bernier, was a hardworking French-Canadian woman from Victoria Mine in Worthington. Together, Leo and Annie had 13 children: Tuner being the fifth. Tuner is predeceased by sisters Florence, Clara, Margaret, Barbara, and Donalda, and by brothers Fred "Buddy", Dick, Bob, Bill, Doug, and Dennis. His brother Larry (wife Helen) is still living in Sudbury.
When asked about the favourite part of his childhood recently, Tuner's eyes lit up and he smiled, saying simply, "ball and hockey." He often regaled family members with stories about skating on frozen ponds, and playing hockey with frozen horse patties when a puck could not be found. Some of his favourite sports memories included winning the Monell Cup in 1944 while playing ball with the Creighton Cubs. He made the senior team as a junior. He also loved playing Junior hockey for the Copper Cliff Redman alongside his best friend, Almo "Dippy" DiFilippo. He had a tryout for the Buffalo Bisons of the AHL when he was still a young man. To him there was never a question of who the best hockey player ever was. There was only one man it could be: Gordie Howe (Mr. Hockey), from his beloved Detroit Red Wings.
Tuner worked 44 years as a miner for lNCO, all of which was spent in Creighton Mine. lt was during the early years as a miner that he met the love of his life, Shirley Bromley (predeceased 1987). Together, Tuner and Shirley bought a home on Tenth Avenue in Lively and raised four children: Karen, Leo the 3rd, Eric, and Darcy.
Tuner is survived by his daughter Karen, sons Leo the 3rd (Kathy), Eric, and Darcy (Kaarina), along with grandchildren Cheryl, Dawn, Gerry, Leo the 4th, Amber, Morgan, Jesse, Katrina, and Ryan, and by great-grandchildren Aysia, Creo, Landon, Fallon, Aniela, Ava, Kratos, Kloud, Katalina, Mya, and Sadie.
Tuner was the rock of the family, a man whose values were the greatest gifts that he left behind: to work hard, to be honest and upright, to be kind, and to put family first. All he needed in life was a rocking chair, a game of ball or hockey on the TV, and a shot of Golden Wedding.
ln lieu of flowers, donations to St. Joseph's Foundation would be appreciated, or a charity of your choice.
A private family celebration of life at the Lougheed Funeral Home will be held (no public visitation). Cremation at the Parklawn Crematorium. For donations or messages of condolence, www.lougheedfuneralhomes.com