Harvard Business School Rugby Club

Friends and Family,

Please feel free to visit Tom’s online memorial page.

Too soon he is brought to earth
From silver passion in the sky
Where friend and foe once struggled
And no one sought to die

So fair, so fast, so free
He toyed with gathering cloud
And banked hard to give us show
As we marveled all aloud

Unleashèd passion for his country
Fueled by youth and daring mind
Bright ribbons pinned in glory
Could not stay his mortal climb

A deeper blue now beckons
Not to dust of gloomy earth
But to a thousand sunlit contrails
That celebrate his worth

We cherish his love of birthplace
Steadfast to family and to friend
Godspeed, O noble wingman
May you guide us to our end

In honor of our teammate, our friend, our brother…

Thomas M. McLaughlin

From his Band of Brothers
The Harvard Business School Rugby Football Club

December 10, 2010

-Michael Rush ’72

Dear HBS ruggers;

Tom McLaughlin, MBA ’77, was diagnosed with liver cancer last November.  He died Sunday night in the company of his wife, Sally, his three sons, Thomas, Brian and Chris, and a few close friends.  They were reminiscing when he peacefully closed his eyes and stopped breathing.  Tom had requested a rugby singsong the Saturday before and 20 of us, in person, and another 6, via cell phone, participated with great volume if not great melody.

Over the last two months, we’ve been sending out updates on Tom’s condition, and have been adding to the list regularly.  I know that we haven’t included everyone; this is our way of reaching out to those we have inadvertently missed.

The ceremonies for Tom are as follows:

• Wake:  Eaton & Mackay Funeral Home at 465 Centre St., Newton, MA on Thursday Dec. 9 from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM.
• Funeral Mass:   St. Ignatius, 28 Commonwealth Ave., Newton, on Friday, Dec. 10 at 10:00 AM.
• Reception:  following the service at The Country Club, 191 Clyde St. Chestnut Hill.

We are putting together a book of remembrances and pictures.  Please send me what you have, particularly if you are unable to attend.  We would love to hear anecdotes, or get digital copies of pictures to include.  We’ll provide a bound book for Sally and the family, as well as posting it for the rest of us.

If you would like to send a card to Sally and the lads, their address is:

9 Woodman St.
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467

Thanks,

Steve Watson ‘77
stevencwatson[at]earthlink[dot]net
scw1949 | skype
781-334-4741 | office
617-359-3181 | mobile

Photo:

Tom was Time’s 1966 “Man of the Year”, the under 25 generation.  Tom garnered some acclaim, and medals, as a pilot in Vietnam.  He piloted a “suicide” mission to (successfully) destroy a bridge near Hanoi, was shot down, escaped and made his way to the South.  He was a wonderful representative of our generation and a true gentleman.

Friday, October 8
6-8PM

Beer Tasting With Pizza at Harpoon Brewery
Be there early because they close down our two hour window at 8pm.

Harpoon Brewery
306 Northern Avenue
Boston, Mass. 02210
617-574-9551
www.harpoonbrewery.com

Saturday, October 9
4 PM – Due to the Harvard vs Cornell football game (12 noon start), we will begin our reunion MATCH and COOKOUT at 4 PM when the pitch is available. This should allow traffic and poseurs to clear from the real game.

Pitch is on Cumnock 1 and 2, new non-grass, SPORT TURF field close to the usual reunion grass pitch which is Cumnock 4. (Next to tennis courts and lacrosse field) Be on time NLT 4 PM…

Young Old Boys versus Current HBS Side followed by Old Old Boys mix and match with all HBS ruggers…if you can strap on a boot, get in for a few minutes of rugby camaraderie.

6 PM – Harvard College vs Yale in rugby, A and B teams under the lights on the same pitch. Stay and support the Harvard lads.

8 PM – (after cookout) HBS reunion post match celebration:

Tommy Doyle’s Pub
96 Winthrop Street near Harvard Square
Cambridge 02139
617-574-9551
JENNIFER Leyen to lead the singing…

GOOD CHANCE TO WATCH HARVARD FOOTBALL AT NOON WITH ANALYST GENO AND THEN OVER TO PLAY RUGBY/COOKOUT/SUPPORT!!!!!! Football tickets available at the gate…

Chef Geno has his usual cookout treats ready to roast!

Sunday, October 10
Bill Schleyer is hosting a small group of morning golfers at the Abenaki Club in NH. If interested, please contact Gene Skowronski regarding space available. Contact eugene.a.skowronski@snet.net 203-734-3315

3 PM COOKOUT -  Chuck Hill estate in Ipswich, 130 Topsfield Road, 978-356-5767; alternate directions to be picked up at the pitch on Saturday due to Topsfield Fair in progress that day.

Dues:
BE PREPARED to pay Old Boys dues of $35 which run from October 2010 until October 2011 or even BETTER, send NOW, payable to me or HBS Rugby Football Club

1100 Salem Street #47
Lynnfield, Ma. 01940

Remember WEBSITE for all updates, photo link under alumni, and any current events at www.hbsrugby.org

Thanks to Brendan Picha and Brandon Bentley, both current players, for their web help!

Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or have never seen a rugby pitch, the Harvard Business School Rugby Team is looking for talented and interested players.

Highlights:
HBS Rugby is the most competitive business school team on and off the field. We have around 60 current members and 1,400 alumni across several schools, including the Harvard Kennedy, Law, Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, the Extension School, and the Medical School.

Fall Tours:
Oktoberfest & Montreal
Wharton Rugby Cup (Hogfest)

Spring Tours:
2009 – Brazil Spring Break, 2010 – Ireland Spring Break
Duke MBA World Rugby Championship

Sponsors:
BCG, Global Rescue, Harpoon, Tommy Doyle’s

If you’re interested in coming out please contact either Mr. Frericks or Mr. Gregg at the addresses below. Alternatively, simply come out to the first practice on Tuesday, September 7th @ 2:30pm on Cumnock IV.

Contacts:
Anson Frericks, Co-President: afrericks [*at*] mba2011.hbs.edu
Josh Gregg, Co-President: jgregg [*at*] mba2011.hbs.edu

HBS Rugby at UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School, Ireland 2010
Left to right: Blake Hall, John Knapp, Kevin O’Boyle, Brian Kaufmann, Brendan Picha, Anson Frericks, Anthony Bangay, Matthew Rooney, James Joun, Chris McCloskey, Brandon Bentley, Doug Haber, James Hendon.