High above the casket, a sign hung on the wall - YMCA: We Build Strong Kids, Strong Families, Strong Communities.

And the celebration of John "Pump" McLaughlin's life began in the Phillips gymnasium at the Butler YMCA.

About 450 people turned out for McLaughlin's funeral Wednesday morning. The 45-year YMCA swim coach died Sunday after a bout with cancer. He was 64.

"I'm surprised there aren't even more people here," said Tom Turner, a former McLaughlin-coached swimmer who is now president of the Allegheny-Kiski Valley Swim League. "I received about 100 e-mails from people who wish they could have been here."

Nearly every member of the Butler High School swim team attended the service. Pallbearers were Gary Mato, Frank Cicco, John Chamberlain, Chris Platt, Pat Kriley and Norman Williams, all former swimmers coached by McLaughlin.

Jeff Miller, a pastor at the North Street Christian Church, officiated the service.

"Today there will be mourning because this man will be missed," Miller said. "But this is also a celebration of his life, his legacy.

"Pump was dedicated to his job. He was more dedicated to the people he served."

Jack Shilling, the director of the New Kensington YMCA and a former Butler YMCA swimmer and assistant coach with McLaughlin, delivered the eulogy."He was a humble man who would be shocked to see this outpouring of love and affection for him," Shilling said.He added he heard the same words describing Pump repeatedly during the past couple of days."He's an inspiration, a great role model," Shilling said."The heart and soul of the YMCA, he had a tremendous influence on my life. He always encouraged me to do my best," he said. "I know this. He was the most caring person I have ever known."Shilling said he came to Butler as a boy through a family separation."I was a shy, confused boy standing in the shallow end of the water when I saw Pump standing at the edge of the pool," he said."I really believe fate drew me to him. He changed my life. Teacher, mentor, counselor, best man at my wedding, father figure - he was all of those things to me," Shilling added."I know I'm not unique in that regard. Pump was special to everyone he encountered, child or adult," he said.

Butler YMCA president Larry Garvin worked with McLaughlin for 24 years and said the coach "inter-faced with at least 400 kids every year. That's thousands of youths he affected in a positive manner."From Garvin's perspective, McLaughlin was the ideal coach."He emulated the values of the YMCA better than anybody ever has or ever could," Garvin said. "Never once in 24 years did I have to have a discussion with him about making sure all of the kids had the opportunity to participate. Pump lived for that."His was the exact vision of spirit, mind and body the YMCA emphasizes. He didn't have to work at it. He was just that kind of person."Shilling expressed amazement at the ease in which McLaughlin got through to children."He could get kids to relax by a simple touch, a simple smile," Shilling said. "He lived by the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have others do unto you. He walked the talk."He mentored hundreds of us, taught us how to win gracefully, lose with confidence. Many of us had the privilege of carrying the title 'assistant coach' for Pump. We were blessed to be able to work with the best," Shilling added.

An enlarged photograph of McLaughlin helping to present the 1974-75 Morrow Award to swimmers Mark VanDyke and Bonnie Lorey was displayed on one side of McLaughlin's casket. A more recent photograph of McLaughlin was displayed on the other.In the gym across the hall from the Phillips gymnasium, numerous photograph albums and pictures of McLaughlin were displayed, ranging from his induction into the Butler AreaSports Hall of Fame in 1984 to him holding a young girl in his arms, showing her how to swim.The Pump McLaughlin YMCA Award for Spirit and Enthusiasm - created at the Western Pennsylvania district meet two weeks ago - was also on display.A collage of photographs of McLaughlin receiving a lifetime achievement award at the Pennsylvania East-West Swim Championships at Penn State University on Saturday was showcased as well. McLaughlin died in his sleep hours after returning home from that awards ceremony."He was so anxious to go to Penn State that day," Shilling said. "I marveled at his continuous love for his swimmers. After our cadet girls 200-medley relay team set a state record at the meet, Pump thrust his fist in the air and shouted 'All right!'"He hugged each one of them. When we took him home, he was so weak, so drained … and he asked me if I wanted a beer. Right up to the last day of his life, he was concerned about the well-being and comfort of others."Former Butler diving coach Mickey Haley spoke to the gathering at the service."We're not in Pump's favorite part of this building," Haley said. "When his casket was brought in here, it was probably leaning and pushing toward that smell of chlorine."What a unique individual. No matter what mood you were in, when he showed up, he brightened your day. There's a little bit of Pump in all of us and he always had enough to go around."The crowd filed out of the gym while the song "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling" played on the public address system.Haley said McLaughlin was likely smiling upon Butler."Pump hasn't died," he said. "He's just left the blocks to begin his long distance swim in heaven."