James J. McLaughlin, 91
James Joseph McLaughlin of East Hampton, who founded the Wall Street bond-trading firm McLaughlin, Piven and Vogel Securities, and continued to run the company after moving to Amagansett in the 1980s, died at home on Aug. 9 with his wife at his side. He had Parkinson’s disease for more than 20 years and had been diabetic and insulin dependent for over 65 years. He was 91.
On an empty 6 a.m. jitney to New York in 2000, Mr. McLaughlin saw Annelie Dooling, a native of Bamberg, Germany, and asked if he could sit next to her. The couple were married in May 2002 at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in East Hampton. It was the second marriage for each.
Her husband’s favorite pastimes, Ms. McLaughlin said, were hunting for finds at weekend yard sales, cheering on the Mets, and reading history and biography. He loved traveling to Ireland, from where his family originated, and she estimated that he had visited that country over 20 times. During the 17 years the couple were together in East Hampton, they enjoyed its natural beauty and loved going to the 1770 House for dinner.
In 2008, Mr. McLaughlin closed his bond firm and joined Lantern Investments of Melville, where he remained active until a few years ago.
He was born on Feb. 25, 1926, in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, to James McLaughlin and the former Evelyn Byrne. After graduating from the Manual Training High School in Brooklyn, he received a four-year scholarship to Dartmouth College’s Naval Training School and spent two years serving in the Naval Air Corps during World War II.
He graduated from Dartmouth in 1948 and remained active over the years as a fund raiser. He also raised money for St. Joseph’s Convent in Brentwood, and for Parkinson’s disease and diabetes research.
In addition to his wife, Mr. McLaughlin is survived by three children from his first marriage: Mark G. McLaughlin of Leander, Tex., Jane Costello of New Hampshire, and James C. McLaughlin, who is estranged. He is also is survived by two stepchildren, Christine D. Rupp of Rye, N.Y., and James G. Dooling of Byfield, Mass., as well as 10 grandchildren.
The family expressed thanks to the many health-care workers, especially those from East End Hospice, and local friends and neighbors for their support in recent years.
A funeral Mass will be held at 1:30 p.m. tomorrow at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. Contributions in Mr. McLaughlin’s memory can be made to a charity of one’s choice.