Pictured are members of Randolph’s Babe Ruth softball team with CRCF executive director, Tory Irgang. Submitted photo

RANDOLPH — Although it has been almost 20 years since John Edward McLaughlin passed away, his family’s fund continues to give back to the community they called home.

Born and raised in Randolph, McLaughlin graduated from Randolph Central School in 1932.

During World War II, he was employed by the Defense Factory in Niagara Falls.

Upon completing his service, he returned to Randolph and worked as a mechanic at the former Randolph Motors.

In 1941, he married Beatrice Cain, another Randolph native, and they welcomed a son, Patrick, in 1948.

Together, the family owned and operated Cain Oil Company, a gas service station and small store in East Randolph, for more than 20 years.

Although Patrick was born with several medical and physical problems, his parents treated him like any other child and he spent his free time working at the family business and volunteering with community organizations.

When both of his parents passed, a trust was established to care for Patrick until his death.

In 2006, at the age of 58, Patrick passed away in Roswell Park Cancer Institute.

Following Patrick’s death, the remainder of the McLaughlin’s estate was to be used to create an endowment fund at the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation to care for the community the McLaughlins spent their lives.

Recently, The John Edward McLaughlin Family Fund awarded $9,450 to nine nonprofit organizations in Randolph.

Grants were awarded to: Randolph Area Community Development Corporation for children’s activities during the 2019 Arts and Crafts Festival, Randolph Area Veterans Appreciation Day 2019, and Food Truck Fridays; New Directions Youth and Family for an indoor recreation room; East Randolph Cemetery for tree management; Randolph Central School for the high school’s After Prom Party; Randolph Library for summer reading; Randolph Babe Ruth for upgrades to its youth softball field; Randolph Fire Company for community room renovations; Randolph Regional EMS for medical equipment; and Randolph United Presbyterian Church for an automated external defibrillator and 2019 Vacation Bible School.

Since its creation in 2007, the John Edward McLaughlin Family Fund has invested over $85,000 into the Randolph community to support local programs and events,