James Bernard "Barney" Quilter

James Bernard Quilter, 86 years of age, passed away peacefully Monday night, August 15, 2005, surrounded by his family. The son of James T. and Helen Marie (Haley) Quilter, he resided for 80 years on the same block in East Toledo. Until 6 years ago when he moved to Oregon, Ohio, he spent most of his life in residence at 641 Woodville Street located directly behind the house of his birth. In 1944 he married Mary Carmella Sarno to whom he was devoted for 52 years until she died in 1996. The couple had 2 children and Barney remained a major influence in their lives and the lives of his 6 grandchildren until his death.
During World War II, Mr. Quilter served in the 167th Combat Engineer Battalion of European theater in the Rhineland and received an honorable discharge as staff sergeant.
Barney pursued a political career that spanned 28 years as a member of the Ohio Legislature with 24 years in leadership of the Democratic Caucus, and 20 years as Speaker Pro-Tem of the House of Representatives. During his tenure, he served as vice-chairman as well as member of dozens of standing and select committees, and was named to 6 budget conference committees and two apportionment boards. He also worked for a period of time in the Sales Tax Division under Ohio Treasurer, Joseph Ferguson and as a public relations liaison for the Toledo Health and Retiree Center.
Among his many accomplishments is Maumee Bay State Park, the idea that he conceived and a project that took 20 years to complete. Quilter Lodge located on the park site bears his name. Also named in his honor is Camp Quilter in Green Springs, Ohio, a work-earn-learn camp sponsored by the Ohio Civilian Conservation Corps under the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. His legacy includes the development of the Medical University of Ohio, University of Toledo, Seagate Center, Millard Avenue Overpass, public education, and Alzheimer's research. His investigative efforts exposed fraud and abuse in the Sandusky Old Soldiers and Sailors Home and brought major reform during the 1970's.
A lifelong Toledoan, he graduated from Central Catholic High School and attended DeSales College before joining the service.
Surviving are son, J. Bernie (Michelle Saddoris) Quilter; daughter, Mary Ann Flannagan; grandchildren, Thomas Bernard and Colleen Flannagan, Anna Marie (Kevin) Whelan, Kenneth, Michael, and Kathryn Mary Quilter; sisters-in-law, Anna Rose Dunn and Virginia Sutter. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Mary Carmella Quilter; brothers and sisters, Jack Quilter, Ann Marie Peterman, Ellen Brennan, and Tom Quilter.
The family will receive friends Wednesday and Thursday from 2-9 p.m. at Hoeflinger-Bolander Funeral Home, 3500 Navarre Ave., where a Scripture Service will be held Thursday at 7 p.m. Funeral services will begin at 8:45 a.m. Friday with prayers at the funeral home and proceed to Good Shepherd Church for Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at St. Ignatius Cemetery.
Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider Good Shepherd Church, the Little Sisters of the Poor Sacred Heart Home for the Aged, or the Ursuline Convent.