- Matthew McLaughlin, 51, died on January 5 due to complications following a heart transplant in 2019
- He was the 1992 winner of the Teen National Championships in Florida. After retiring in 2001, McLaughlin sold vintage toys on Etsy
- His funeral will take place on January 13 at the Second Christian Congregational Church in Maine
A 51-year-old bodybuilder from Maine died last week after suffering from complications from a heart transplant for days.
Matthew McLaughlin, the winner of the 1992 Teen National Championships in Florida, died on January 5 due to complications following a 2019 heart transplant.
According to his obituary, the athlete spent more than 90 days at Massachusetts General Hospital last year seeking treatment for complications.
His funeral will take place on January 13 at 11 a.m. in Maine.
Matthew McLaughlin, the winner of the 1992 Teen National Championships in Florida, died on January 5 due to complications following a 2019 heart transplant.
His funeral will take place on January 13 at the Second Christian Congregational Church in Maine
Longtime friend Kevin McGaunn, also a bodybuilder, wrote a moving one Facebook tribute for McLaughlin on January 9.
“My heart is heavy as I share the news that my dear friend Matt McLaughlin has passed away.
“It is with great sadness that I write this to inform our friends of his passing.
“Matt was a generous and caring person who touched the lives of many. He will be greatly missed and remembered with love and respect.
“Please keep his family in your thoughts during this difficult time. Rest in peace, Matt.”
Longtime friend Kevin McGaunn, also a bodybuilder, wrote a moving Facebook tribute to McLaughlin on January 9
His journey in bodybuilding began when he broke the weightlifting record as a student at Kennedy Junior High School
His obituary read: “Matt was a generous friend and always willing to help his friends. He was friendly and had a great sense of humor.
‘His cardiologist described him as a gentle soul. Matt has shown great strength and resilience over the years.”
The bodybuilder turned old toy salesman was born in Boston and graduated from Woburn High School in 1990.
His journey in bodybuilding began when he broke the weightlifting record as a student at Kennedy Junior High School.
After graduating, he took up bodybuilding full-time and won the biggest honor of his career at the Teen National Championships in Florida.
After retiring in 2001, McLaughlin sold vintage toys on Etsy
After graduating, he took up bodybuilding full-time and won the biggest honor of his career at the Teen National Championships in Florida.
In 1993, McLaughlin competed in the light heavyweight division and won first place at the NPC North American Championships.
He eventually qualified for the heavyweight division and eventually retired in 2001.
Since then, McLaughlin has been selling vintage toys online “which he was very proud of.” He also ran an Etsy store selling these toys.