1986 - 2023

With great sadness, the family of Vincent William McLaughlin regrets to announce the sudden passing of their dear brother, son, nephew, and cousin, on September 5, 2023, in Toronto, Ontario at the age of 37. 

Left to cherish his memory are his father, John Duthie, and stepmother, Vivian Duthie; stepfather, Bernie Wright; brothers Josh and Alistair Wright; sisters Jackie Thomas and Cynthia Fidler; step-sister Cecily Sutherland; brothers Jimmy and Gibby Duthie; aunts and uncles: Sharon (Robert) Kunzelman, Robert McLaughlin, Carol McLaughlin (Dan Diamond), Kathryn McLaughlin (Larry Harder), Hugh McLaughlin (Valdine), Janice McLaughlin (John Caister); cousins Chris (Tanis) Caister, Aly and Riley Caister, Melanie Caister (Cory Roskos), Kelly and Cayden Kunzelman, Sandra Pottinger, Nicole Pottinger (Calvin Wieler), Michelle Pottinger (Joe Smith), Shannon (Graham) Nicholson, Sherrilyn (James) Lytwyn, Sara McLaughlin (Aaron Funk), and Jennifer (Jason) Poulsen; step-sisters Cristie (Darren) Gourley and Dee (Gary) Romijn; step-brother Riley (Elle) Wright; and numerous friends and extended family. Vince was predeceased by his mother, Alison McLaughlin-Wright in 2010 and grandmother, Susan McLaughlin in 2017.

Vince, known affectionately as Vinnie, VDub, or Vincenzo, was born March 29, 1986 in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba to Alison McLaughlin and John Duthie. Vince grew up at the McLaughlin family’s Pine Crescent home, and consequently was very attached to his Grandma (Susan) and Uncle Rob.  

Vince attended Yellowquill School and Arthur Meighen High School. He loved and excelled in sports and fitness, and took pride in his athletic accomplishments through his school years. A provincial champion in track and field and a star soccer player and gymnast, he excelled both individually and as part of a team in tournaments across Manitoba. Vince was popular both in and out of the classroom, and enjoyed hanging out with his cousins and large circle of friends.

Spending time outdoors - at the farm in Plumas - and many summers at the family cottage on Lake Manitoba, Vince developed an appreciation for nature and wildlife that lasted his lifetime. He had a passion for hiking and camping and enjoyed extreme whitewater rafting and climbing up hills and mountains.

Unfortunately, during Vince’s teen years excessive use of alcohol and drugs were his downfall, creating a situation he couldn’t escape until his Aunt Carol and Uncle Dan offered him an opportunity to move to Toronto and make a fresh start.

In 2003, Vince moved from Manitoba to Toronto – a place he loved visiting as a child, and where he’d begin a new chapter of his life and eventually call home.

Vince spent a summer in Alberta working on oil rigs near Drayton Valley, before returning to Toronto. He worked at the Hockey Hall of Fame and Rogers Centre, two exciting workplaces that aligned with his love of the NHL and Toronto Blue Jays. Vince completed his high school diploma in Toronto and later graduated from George Brown College with his Electrician’s Certificate. Vince’s career in the trades took him to myriad job sites in Ontario and briefly to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, where he was part of a crew of electricians that re-wired a potash mine.

Vince was known for his adventurous spirit. His interests included a desire to explore the world, taking him to exotic destinations including Mexico, Cuba, Peru, Panama, Costa Rica, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia. 

Vince was a warm, loving and generous soul, sentimental and proud of his much-loved family. He adored animals, was open-minded and loved learning, and though he could be headstrong, he could be equally compassionate and kind-hearted.

He was, in turn, smart, charismatic, articulate and mischievous though much of his charm and personality was lost as a consequence of the addictions and mental illness that overtook him in his final years.  

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Vince’s memory to CAMH (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health) (https://www.camh.ca/) or Portage Animal Welfare Society (http://www.portageanimalwelfaresociety.com/) .   

Or, feel free to reach out to someone who might need to talk, listen to them, and tell them they are loved – even when answers can’t be found.

Messages and condolences may be left at www.cremationalternatives.com. Please visit Vince's obituary notice on Facebook.