James B. Laughlin, longtime resident of Darien, CT and Fishers Island, NY, died peacefully on January 25th, 2022, three weeks before his 90th birthday. He was the devoted husband of Eleanor W. “Susie” Laughlin for 65 years and father of Laura
L. Johnson, Tim, Ann, Tom and Chris Laughlin.
James B. Laughlin
Jim was born in Paris in 1932 to Thomas and Louise Laughlin, and grew up in Manhasset, NY and Aiken, South Carolina. He attended The Brooks School and Yale University, where he was a member of the Class of 1954. He played Varsity Squash and served as President of the Chi Psi Fraternity.
After serving in the Marines from 1954 – 1956, he met his bride, Eleanor Whitman “Susie” and they married in 1957 in Bedford, NY. After leaving New York City, they established their home in the “Tokeneke” area of Darien, CT in 1960. Their life was consumed with children, sports and laughter for the next 50 years. In 2010 Jim and Susie moved just outside the town of New Canaan, CT. Summers were spent on Fishers Island where Jim indulged his pas- sion for golf.
Jim’s rewarding career in Banking, Insurance, and Investments began in 1956 in Manhattan and grew into Laughlin Investment Counselors in Stamford by the 1970’s. Jim was a kind and generous man, a caring father, and a reserved and humble citizen. He was very proud of his family and always encouraged good education, the pursuit of sport and keeping a sense of humor.
Aside from his family, Jim’s second love was golf. He was an avid golfer who loved competing in any golf tournament. He especially loved the camaraderie that came with a round of golf. He couldn’t get enough of it. He was a great student of the game and its history. He relished in sharing that lore with anyone who would listen.
In addition to his wife, Susie, and his children, he is survived by his brother, Michael Laughlin of Aiken, SC; seven grandchildren: Whitney, Bailey, James and Nick Johnson, Kelly and Kate Laughlin, and Peter Laughlin; and a great granddaughter, Francie Johnson.
Jim will be greatly missed by his friends and family. A memorial service is being planned for the late spring.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to:
Lower Fairfield R.C.
142 Silvermine Avenue
Norwalk, CT 06850
c/o Cheryl Caldwell
(203) 642-5011
In Memory of Ann Laughlin