Obituary of David John McLaughlin

David John McLaughlin of Fredericton, passed away on Wednesday, January 24th, 2024, at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital. He gave cancer a real run for its money.Born in Fredericton on June 25, 1965, he was the youngest son of the late Stanley and Madeline
(Doherty) McLaughlin.

He is survived by his brothers and sisters Diane Fraser, Paul (Monique),Judy Blinn (Jim), Cathy Cogswell (David), Lynn Phillips (Mark), and Peter (Cathy), his special niece Ami Janes, as well as other nieces, nephews, and close friends.

David grew up on “the Hill” in Fredericton, part of a tight-knit community of post war families.Intellectually gifted, he graduated from Fredericton High School two years ahead of his peers.
He was smart, curious, funny, and industrious. He learned to build with his brother Paul and worked for himself most of his life. He was a meticulous painter, made a mean five pepper chili,             lip-smacking ribs, and smoking hot wings. To his eventual detriment, he was an excellent mixologist, working in clubs in Fredericton, and Alberta. He loved to grow things. David graduated from Olds College in Alberta with a Horticulture Technologist Diploma in 1996 and assumed management of the Old Ridge Nursery, in partnership with his late brother-in-law, Bruce Fraser.
David was later involved with the Nashwaak Watershed Association, where he was essential in the development and management of a tree nursery supplying vital tree stock for their floodplain reforestation projects. His work led in part to the establishment of the Nashwaak Greenway, which resulted in the Marysville Flats Conservation Agreement, an ongoing partnership with the City of Fredericton and the NWAI. This is only the second such land conservation agreement in the Maritimes held by a municipality, and from its conception in 2010 and every year until 2017, all the trees planted had been propagated and/or fostered by him. His love and knowledge of trees and plants brought the natural world to students in elementary, middle- and high schools, who participated in tree planting events throughout the area. Much of the Marysville Flats as well as many other areas along the river including the McLean Flats at Durham Bridge are now in the shade of David’s trees. In his own stubborn, obsessive way, David changed a tiny piece of the world for the better, and in a manner that will last for centuries.

In the words of the sage... “It is a wise man who plants trees in whose shade he may never stand”.
Through all his troubles, his stumbles and victories, David proved to be a wise man.

In keeping with his wishes, there will be no visitation or funeral service. A celebration of life will take place at a location and time to be announced later.