Martin T. Laughlin was born April 27, 1926, and lived his early life in Arkansas City, Kansas, with his parents, four brothers and a sister. The family consisted of devoutly Catholic Irish immigrants, and his father worked in the meatpacking business. 

He attended Catholic grade school and then the Catholic liberal arts Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa. He pursued an English degree and wanted to become a journalist but after a retreat had a profound impact on his life, he chose to become a priest. He entered St. Paul's Seminary and was ordained a priest in the Archdiocese of Dubuque in 1952.

Shortly thereafter, he attended Notre Dame University, earning a masters in educational psychology. He was assigned spiritual director of Mount St. Bernard Seminary, also in Dubuque, and Loras College. Father Laughlin then served in several parishes in Iowa.

He was appointed to Catholic Charities in Arizona where he primarily worked in prisons helping those incarcerated with rehabilitation and counseling. One of Laughlin's former professors had become pastor of Holy Family Church on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, and invited Laughlin south. Father Laughlin was named pastor of St. Peter Church in Beaufort in 1986, where he founded St. Peter School. Bishop David B. Thompson appointed Laughlin pastor of St. Francis by the Sea Church in Hilton Head in 1996, where Laughlin also founded St. Francis School.

Then-Bishop Robert J. Baker, STD, appointed Laughlin vicar general of the diocese in August 2004, and in December that year, Laughlin was given the Prelate of Honor, a papal honor given to “outstanding members of the local clergy.” The honor entitles the recipient to be addressed as “Reverend Monsignor.” 

Msgr. Laughlin served as pastor and administrator of several parishes, including St. Joseph in Anderson, Holy Family in Hilton Head, St. Theresa Mission in Winnsboro, Transfiguration in Blythewood, Holy Spirit on Johns Island, St. Gregory the Great in Bluffton and many others until his retirement in 2011.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas J. Laughlin and Eleanor (Seibers) Laughlin; an infant sister, Mary; brothers David, James and Thomas;  sisters-in-law Sharron (David) and Eileen (John); five nephews, one great-niece and one great-nephew. His is survived by his last brother, John, and sister-in-law Suzann (James), plus 14 nieces and nephews, 39 great nieces and nephews and 24 great-great nieces and nephews.