Neil Quinn, of Guilford, Vermont, died peacefully in Hanover, N.H., on Thursday, September 13, 2018, after a short bout with cancer. He was 78. He was born as Joseph Cornelius Quinn, Jr. on June 24, 1940, in Washington, D.C.

He is survived by his wife, Betsy Bates, of Dummerston; his son Bevan and wife Tammi, of Guilford, and grandsons Braeden and Caleb; his daughter Mauireen Derby Quinn and husband Watson E. Bell III, of St. Andrews, Scotland, and granddaughters Bailee and Mackenzie Bell. He leaves a daughter-in-law Trish Kneeland of Westminster, Vt. He also leaves two sisters, Ellin Martin, of Rutland, Vt., and Deborah Quinn, of Santa Fe, N.M. Additionally he is survived by three nieces and a nephew, and several grandnieces and nephews. His first marriage to Virginia Whitman ended in divorce.

He was predeceased by his parents, Joseph C. Quinn, Sr. and Phyllis Hight Quinn; and by his son Jeremy.

As a child, Neil lived in the states of Washington, California, Arizona, and Massachusetts. He graduated from Governor Dummer Academy in Byfield, Mass. He attended Denison University, Harvard Summer School, Columbia University Summer Programs, and Marlboro College.

Neil moved to Guilford in 1964 and lived there for over 50 years. He also lived in Marlboro, Halifax and Brattleboro, and had very recently moved to Dummerston.

After college, he worked in Brattleboro, Vt. at the Book Cellar and the Stephen Greene Press. He then worked as a book designer at R.L. Dothard and Associates in Guilford. Book and publication design lead him to interests in bicycling and cross-country skiing.

Neil is well-remembered as the former owner of the West Hill Shop, a bicycle and cross-country ski shop, in Putney, Vt., and as a cyclist and skier. He was a founder of the business in 1971 and later became sole owner. He sold the shop in 2004. He was an avid cyclist and skier and was involved in promoting many bicycle races, ski races, and related events. He was a founding member of the Putney Bicycle Club and was actively riding until recently.

In recent years he was a self-employed carpenter and contractor, working as Waterhouse Hill Services. He built houses, barns, and tree houses, and also performed handyman jobs, tractor work, and occasional book design or website work.

Neil served in the United States Marine Corp. Reserve from 1958 to 1964. He became a volunteer fireman in 1966 and served as a lieutenant and captain. He remained involved in the fire department to the present day as a trustee, serving terms as president, clerk and treasurer. He was a trustee and treasurer for Christ Church Guilford Society. He was an auditor for the town of Guilford for 20 years and did the design and layout of the annual town report. He served as town meeting moderator for 12 years.

Donations in memory of Neil may be made to the Guilford Volunteer Fire Dept., 108 Guilford Center Road, Guilford, VT 05301 or Christ Church Guilford Society, c/o A. Montgomery, 57 Indigo Drive, Guilford, VT 05301.

A wake will be held on Friday, Sept. 21, 2018, at Christ Church on Route 5 in Guilford, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. A funeral will be held at Christ Church on Saturday, Sept. 22 at 11:00 AM, with a reception to follow at the Guilford Volunteer Fire Dept.

To sign an online register book or to send messages of condolence, please visit www.atamniuk.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Brattleboro Reformer on Sep. 18, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Neil Quinn

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5 Entries

Dutch Walsh

September 12, 2021

I think of Neil often, and will, always when I smell warm pine tar.

Gloria Solar

September 24, 2018

So sorry to hear this sad news. My sincerest condolences. You are in my thoughts.

Kevin McKinley

September 21, 2018

My sincere condolences to the Quinn family for their loss.
I remember Neil as a kind, patient, coach and mentor who helped me, a Keene State College student in the mid 70's, get into racing bicycles.
Riding to the West Hill Shop about 3 times a week in the fall and spring, I learned from Neil how to train, build and maintain my bike. The time he gave to me was so appreciated, as cycling and skiing became a huge part of my life then and now.
Neil's influence is far reaching. I told Jim Langley, a fellow KSC classmate at the time, that the "real" bike shop was in Putney, VT. Jim would work for Neil at West Hill and have a career in the industry. Teaching and coaching in NH, many of my students have become accomplished cyclists and skiers and one owns a local bike shop.
Neil was a truly wonderful person who made a positive impact on the lives he touched. I hope his family is able to find comfort in how he made us better people by sharing his time and knowledge so freely.

Chrissy C

September 18, 2018

I remember, I remember ....

Dutch Walsh

September 18, 2018

My thoughts are with Betsy and the entire Quinn family. I was saddened to learn of Neil's passing. From the first day I met Neil in the "original" West Hill Shop on West Hill, Neil became for me one of the handful of people I would keep in my mind for the reason living in southern Vermont was so special. As a student at Windham College in 1971, I frequented West Hill for the peaceful atmosphere, the expert advice, and the quiet friendship that grew with Neil over the next 40+ years, Hundreds of trips to West Hill over the years always left me with the sweet smell of pine tar base wax and a feeling that the day was better because I stopped by for a visit with Neil.

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