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Peter McQuillan Obituary
PETER J. MCQUILLAN, considered one of the leading authorities on NYS criminal law, died September 19, 2019, at his home in upstate NY. He was 90 years old.
He served over 20 years as a judge in New York, before retiring from NY State Supreme Court in 1992. He was known for his lengthy and strongly worded legal rulings, and for his deep passion for justice. Among many notable cases, in October of 1976, he ruled the NYS death penalty law to be unconstitutional. He also ruled against jury exclusions based on sex; and against unwarranted government surveillance.
Peter was born and raised in Manhattan. After serving in the army, he went on to college and then received his law degrees from Fordham Law School.
Before his judicial appointments, he was special counsel to the New York State Temporary Commission on Revision of the Penal Law, which oversaw the rewriting of NYS's penal and criminal procedure law, its first major revision in 80 years.
Prior to that, he was director of the New York State Office of Crime Control Planning. He also served as an adjunct professor at Fordham Law School and was a member of the State Commission on Forensic Science and the Criminal Jury Instructions Committee. He was also an assistant counsel for the state Commission of Investigation during the Apalachin investigation of the 1950s.
In retirement, he stayed active in criminal law. Among other things, he compiled a widely-read newsletter for the Innocence Project, focusing on DNA exonerations in criminal court cases around the world.
When not focused on the law, Peter enjoyed travel, fine dining, books and spending time with his large extended family. He met his first wife Dorothy ("Mimi") when friends set them up on a blind date. They were married for 28 years, had one child, and made their home in NYC. After her death, he married his second wife, attorney Carol Halprin. They divided their time between homes in Greenwood Lake NY and West Palm Beach FL. In 1990, in what he called his most enjoyable act as a judge, he officiated over the marriage of his daughter Veronica, at Windows On the World at the original World Trade Center.
He was pre-deceased by his first wife Dorothy in 1981, and his sister Agnes in 2018. He is survived by his wife Carol Halprin, his daughter and son-in-law Veronica McQuillan and Paul Daffinee of San Diego, as well as loving grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
His kindness, intelligence and wonderful sense of humor will be greatly missed by all who loved him.
In lieu of flowers or cards, contributions can be made to the Innocence Project.
https://www.innocenceproject.org
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Peter McQuillan
Anthony Mordente
September 17, 2023
Uncle Pete and Aunt Mimi... I think about you both all the time. I will always miss you both very much.
Love,
Anthony
Anthony Mordente
October 2, 2022
I miss and pray for Uncle Pete and my beloved Aunt Mimi every day. I miss them very much. All my love to Veronica, Paul and their family!
Anthony Mordente
September 17, 2021
Uncle Pete was so many things... kind, caring, generous, funny, witty, knowledgeable, a great family man, a dependable friend, a mentor, a teacher.... and of course, a brilliant, fair and honorable man. I pray for him and my beloved Aunt Dorothy to rest in peace every day and I remember them both for all the love and kindness they showed me... as well as for the great kindness and support he gave to my ailing mother when she needed it the most. I appreciate it more than I can say; I miss him and Aunt Dottie terribly and I will never forget them. Again, he was the finest man I ever knew.
All my best to Veronica, Paul and their family.
Jennifer Daffinee
September 17, 2021
On the anniversary of Grandpa Peter´s departure from this life, I find myself reflecting on all the world changes he witnessed in his time. And I think about how he lived and fought on the side of what is right in this world, and that gives me encouragement that the good can overcome the bad. We miss you Grandpa Peter. I think there might be a listening to some Moon River today with a good sip of Scotch to remember dancing at our wedding. With love, Jen
BARBARA ANN DUMIAK
September 18, 2020
Uncle Peter was an inspiration to us all with his light-hearted nature, humor and wisdom. He encouraged literary endeavors, stressed the importance of an education and was always willing to render sage advice. He was extremely kind to my dad and I when my mom passed. He called and provided wonderful comfort with his anecdotes. Among the many childhood memories I remember sharing with my Uncle Peter, Aunt Dottie and Veronica, were rides to Jones Beach, excursions to Central Park and my first visit to the Statue of Liberty and boat ride. God bless you Uncle Peter and my dear Aunt Dottie. May you rest in eternal peace. Love to you and my dear cousin Veronica, Paul and their family, Barbara
Rosemary Reilly Ferrucci
September 17, 2020
Just remembering Mr. McQuillan, as his anniversary approaches. Sending wishes for comfort and peace to descend upon his family. May the sweet memories of the gifts his life bestowed to so many , be what Veronica, Paul and the entire family find solace in.
Helen Reilly,Haley
September 17, 2020
Sadly missed
Anthony Mordente
September 17, 2020
To my beloved Uncle Pete and my loving Aunt Dorothy, I miss you both and keep you in my prayers every day. I will never forget either of you and will always appreciate all the love, loyalty and support you gave to my mother when she needed it most. All my best to Veronica, Paul and their family. If Uncle Pete and Aunt "Mimi" aren't in heaven, no one is... I will always love you both.
Mason Daffinee
November 6, 2019
It was a honor knowing Grandpa Peter and an absolute joy having him in my life. I don't think I truly understood the magnitude of his professional influence until recent research. All I knew was that he was a man of kindness, joy, laughter, and love. He was Grandpa Peter.
A number of memories stand out as an example of this. For my wedding he made the trek all the way to Dallas, Texas. In the hours preceding the ceremony a number of us gathered at a nearby hotel to enjoy company. Stories were being shared-my father was sharing some of his favorite experiences from working in the news industry and my father in-law started sharing some of his experiences in the military. Then Grandpa Peter started sharing and we were captivated. He held our attention completely. Three generations were present, but his voice was the one that we wanted to hear. In that moment his was a voice of overwhelming wisdom. Later that evening he demonstrated his warmth, affection, and graciousness while dancing with the bride. It is a beautiful image and serves to exemplify a defining trait of Grandpa Peter. He was so loving to those around him. He loved his daughter dearly and because she loved my brother and me, that was good enough for him.
Thank you Grandpa Peter for sharing your life and love. Every time I think of you I smile, so thank you for that too. Love you!
Tyler Daffinee
November 3, 2019
It is great to see, in one place, a summary of all the big things grandpa Peter was a part of, and the impact he had on the state that I call home. I realize though, that this wasn't how I knew him. I didn't know him when he did most of the things I read, I didn't even know he was still on the State Supreme Court for a few years when I did know him. I think that is also a great summary of the grandpa Peter I knew. The great man I knew and loved was humble, intelligent, kind, and genuinely interested in my life. I never got the sense that things were done for recognition, but instead because they needed to be done and were what was right. This is a lesson I hold dear, that good works get recognized, and chasing recognition doesn't make what you do good works.
He loved his daughter and needed no other reason than that to love my brother and me. I remember, most of all, his energy during the time we spent together. He was always aware and mindful of a situation and because of that able to see and revel in what was new and interesting. Whether it was asking me questions about what I was doing in athletics or academics, and not making me feel he cared more about one than the other; or enjoying the change in perspective he got cruising the familiar roads around Greenwood lake from the front seat of my truck. His constant curiosity and excitement made me feel valued, uplifted, and it encouraged me to look for the good in every situation. I have been blessed to have him in my life. I will carry him in my heart as our family moves forward in a world that, in so many ways that I didn't fully realize until now, is a better place because of him.
Gregory and Carole Ann Carroll
September 28, 2019
We knew Peter as a dear, fun-loving man, a neighbor for 25 years. His intelligence was obvious as he would offer his perception of the happenings about him, often with a twinkle in his eye reminiscent of a leprechaun. He clearly touched the lives of many during his career and beyond, though they perhaps knew him not. His last years were spent in unfortunate circumstance, making his passing and 'going home' a blessed relief. A good and kind gift from God, he will be missed.
Helen Haley
September 25, 2019
A wonderful gentleman. World class individual.
Jennifer Daffinee
September 24, 2019
I had the joy of knowing Grandpa Peter in the last decade of his life when I married his grandson Mason Daffinee. Peter left an indelible impression upon all those he knew. Specifically, I will carry his work ethic with me; I do not know a better example of The American Story than a man who worked hard so he could attend law school at night, ultimately rising to the bench of the NY State Supreme Court. To Grandpa Peter, I think of you fondly and I smile. You have done what we all hope to do - you have left this world a better place than you found it ♥
Anthony Mordente
September 24, 2019
My uncle, Peter McQuillan, was simply the finest man I ever knew. He was brilliant, fair, kind, and a wonderful, loving family man. He was also a great teacher, a wise mentor and a person who would always listen to and respect an alternate point of view... a quality sadly lacking in today's world. He was always there with very generous help in times of trouble, as he was for my ailing mother. His great legal legacy speaks for itslef, but it is up those who were priviledged to know him to sing his praises, as he was too humble to do it himself. All my love and condolences to Veronica, Paul and their family during this sad time. I will miss him terribly but I will never forget him. The world is worse off for his loss.
Anthony Mordente
September 24, 2019
My uncle, Peter McQuillan, was simply the finest man I ever knew. Brilliant, fair, kind, compassionate and loving, he was also a great teacher, mentor and a true champion of justice who was always ready to listen to and respect an alternate point of view... a quality that is all too lacking in today's world. He was a wonderful family man who was always there in times of trouble with care, concern and generous help, as he was for my ailing mother. His great legal legacy speaks for itself but it is up to those who remember and love him to sing his praises, as he was always too humble to do it himself. I will miss him terribly but will never forget him. All my love and deepest condolences to Veronica, Paul and their family at this sad time.
BARBARA DUMIAK
September 24, 2019
Uncle Peter, was a dear and much loved Uncle, who I will truly miss.He was kind & witty with an intelligent sense of humor. Always humble, though extremely brilliant, he could entertain the family with amazing stories. My sympathies to Carol, Veronica, Paul & their family. I am very proud to have had you as my Uncle. May you rest in eternal peace
Rosemary G. Ferrucci
September 23, 2019
My memories of Mr. McQuillan are those of a strong and highly intelligent man with a quick sense of humor, generous spirit and incisive observational capacity. He was a man of action that was to be respected. His sly humor and his disciplined logic were sharpened by his intensity and beliefs. He profoundly contributed strength, structure and insight into the legal process we benefit from in our society today.
He was the patriarch of a beautiful family who loved and appreciated not only his works and efforts but his presence as a husband and father. My sincere and deepest sympathies to Veronica and Paul and their family on the passing of such a loving man of stature as Peter J. McQuillan.
Glenn Visconti
September 23, 2019
Goodbye Uncle Pete may you rest in peace you were always a great kind and loving man to the family. You will always be missed.
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