SOUTHWICK – Retired Southwick Police Lieutenant Robert Laughlin passed away December 1st, 2023. Bob was the son of Arthur and Marjorie (Winder) Laughlin. He was born in Springfield MA on October 18th, 1942 and grew up in Westfield.
He graduated from Westfield High School in 1962 and was a standout football and basketball player. He later attended Holyoke Community College where he received his degree in Criminal Justice. In 1964, Bob joined the MA Army National Guard in Westfield and received the rank of Sergeant. In 1969, Bob was appointed to the Southwick Police Department. On January 10th, 1990, Bob was appointed Sergeant and on December 30th, 2003 he retired as a Lieutenant. For 34 years, Bob was the Safety Officer for the Police Department. He was a member of the Southwick Police Association, the Western MA Safety & Crime Prevention Officer Association, the MA Safety Officer, and the Mass Police Officer Association.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Carol; two daughters and a son, Robert Laughlin and his wife Meredith of East Longmeadow, Erin Laughlin of Southwick and Tamara DeGray and her husband Michael Dougan of Jersey City. He also leaves three granddaughters, Abigail, Kathryn, and Elizabeth Laughlin; two grandsons, Jonathan and Christopher Crawford; his brother David and his wife Kelly of Harwich MA; his sister Judith (Laughlin) Okraska of Canton CT, as well as several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his daughter Kelly (Laughlin) Crawford in 2016 and his brother Steven in 1989.
Visitation will be held on Friday, December 8th, 2023 from 4–7 p.m. at Southwick Forastiere Funeral & Cremation, 624 College Highway, Southwick. Family and friends will have the opportunity to share Words of Remembrance at 7 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Bob’s memory may be made to Southwick Police Association, 11 Depot Street, Southwick, MA 01077. For more information, please visit www.forastiere.com
