Cass runs the Sheffield Half Marathon
Created by Cass Gompels
16th April 2013
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On the 12th of May, I'm running the Sheffield Half Marathon for Meningitis UK, in aid of the John McLaughlin Forever Fund. My brother Mark, having decided to run twelve half marathons in six months, has encouraged us all to join him with at least one along route.! Sheffield is a great place to start as being close to our old family home it has a special significance. Training for 'Running for Johnny' has given me lots of time to think. Frequently there is an almost tangible feeling of loss. Yet often , on remembering him,I smile-as Johnny always made one smile;or I think I must be strong & carry on,as would certainly want that too! So now I am looking forward to this weekend in Sheffield with Mark & Danny, & friends Annabelle & Bernadette as we aim to complete our half marathon,in memory of our dearest Johnny. Obituary from Lloyds List JOHN McLaughlin, who has died aged 54, worked as a correspondent for Lloyd’s List in New York and then in Italy for more than 20 years. McLaughlin’s work, including news reporting, analysis and feature writing, was always marked by the highest levels of integrity, professionalism and judgement. The son of John and Veronica McLaughlin, one of four siblings with brothers Dan and Mark and sister Cass, he was born in Rotherham in the UK on September 28, 1958. McLaughlin began his career in journalism at Metal Bulletin, before joining Lloyd’s List in 1987, covering the maritime industry from New York. He worked in the US for almost 18 years before returning to Europe and taking on the challenging role of Italy correspondent, a position he held for some five years. A fluent speaker of Italian, he filled that role with great distinction. Former Lloyd’s List editor Tony Gray said McLaughlin was a distinguished journalist who almost single-handedly established Lloyd’s List’s on-the-spot coverage of maritime news in the US. “He quickly developed an unrivalled network of contacts and a deep understanding of the American scene. His analysis of events and the unusually strong influence of politics on the US shipping industry was second to none. “With John’s upbeat disposition and wealth of ideas, he was a joy to work with. It was also a privilege to have him as a friend.” Another former colleague, Christopher Mayer, said: “John McLaughlin was widely respected throughout the industry and nowhere more so than in Italy, where the meticulous quality of his work was unmatched. “I knew him from his first days on the paper as a good friend who had a joie de vivre and an infectious enthusiasm that inspired others.” After leaving Lloyd’s List in 2010, McLaughlin joined the Seatrade editorial team, reporting for Seatrade magazine on general shipping and on specialist cruise industry matters for Seatrade Insider and Seatrade Cruise Review. In addition to his work in the maritime industries, McLaughlin wrote for an array of international publications including the New York Times and Harper’s Bazaar, covering topics ranging from international affairs to sport and culture. McLaughlin died in Paris on December 25, after being taken ill on a flight from New York. He is survived by his wife Lisa and sons Conor and Aidan.Updates
