John Ernest (Jake) McLaughlin, the co-founder and publisher of Canadian Automotive Fleet magazine, which was created as a joint venture with Bobit Business Media, passed away on March 29 in Burlington, Ontario, Canada.

McLaughlin launched Canadian Automotive Fleet in 1984. Prior to starting Canadian Automotive Fleet, McLaughlin worked as a group publisher at Maclean-Hunter, which, at the time, was Canada’s largest trade publisher.

Earlier, McLaughlin served in Fleet Air Arm, Royal Canadian Navy from 1949 to 1958 and was stationed as a pilot aboard the aircraft carrier HMCS Magnificent, where he flew the Grumman TBF Avenger torpedo bomber.

Outside of his career in publishing, McLaughlin was the president of the Humane Society in Toronto from the late 1980s to early 1990s. He was also the president of the Canadian Automotive Leasing Association (CALA), which was the forerunner of the Canadian Fleet Leasing Association (CFLA). McLaughlin was also an avid squash player and keen golfer who enjoyed entertaining friends and customers alike on the links.

McLaughlin was born June 18, 1931 in Montreal, Quebec. He is survived by his wife Patricia, sons Michael and Keith, who joined the company in 1992 and the current publisher of Canadian Automotive Fleet magazine.