THOMAS E. QUIRK

1925 - 2022

THOMAS E. QUIRK, 97, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022, in Fort Wayne. Born "Eugene Thomas Quirk" in Lawler, Iowa, on April 15, 1925, Tom was the second eldest of William and and Marie Quirk's five sons. He attended Mt. Carmel Grade School and Lawler High School where his love of basketball and baseball became a part of him. He attended the University of Iowa in Iowa City receiving a Bachelor's degree in Economics in 1949, and Law degree in 1951. His professional career started as an insurance adjuster with State Farm in Dubuque, Iowa. In 1953, Tom opted to use his Law degree in Trust and Tax law with the Fort Wayne National Bank Trust Department. In 1955, he married Louise Anne Lynch, with whom he shared 60 wonderful years of love and laughter. In 1990, after having a 38 year career with the bank, he retired as Executive Vice President of the Trust Department. Throughout his life Tom gave back to the Fort Wayne Community in many ways. Tom served as a Trustee of the Allen County Bar Association, President of Estate Planning Council, Fort Wayne Airport Authority, FTW Planning Commission, Catholic Charities Board, Indiana Newman Foundation, President/Member Serra Club, Quest Club President and Member, NE Indiana Catholic School Board, Member and Chairman of Trust and Indiana Bankers Association, Director and then President of St. Joseph Hospital Board for seven years, Board Member of St. Joseph Hospital Foundation, Director of Wilson Foundation, Finance Committee Member of the Ancilla Domini Sisters in Donnelly, Ind., Fort Wayne Park Foundation board member for over 40 years, serving a term as President. Tom also served other various organizations where he shared his time and talent. He was a proud and loyal alumnus of the University of Iowa. He loved Hawkeye football and basketball. What he loved most, besides the educational opportunity, was the friendships he made and the fun he had while attending Iowa. He also loved the Chicago Cubs and White Sox. He watched thousands of Cub games with his family on WGN, attended games at Wrigley and Comiskey. Like so many suffering Cub fans, he especially enjoyed the triumphant 2016 season, blessed at age 91 to finally watch, for the first time in his life, the Cubbies winning the World Series. With an athletic past as a youngster, during his working years and through age 70 he loved playing racquetball at the downtown Y.M.C.A., then in his later years he enjoyed golf at the Fort Wayne Country Club. Tom enjoyed keeping abreast of local and national events, politics and financial matters. He would always share stories of Iowa to anyone who wanted to listen. He was amazed that a young man from Utica Township could have such a complete life. He never forgot the Iowa family farm and stories about his family roots. Tom and Louise, both having grown up during the depression, were proud to have been able to raise four children, emphasizing the importance of education putting them all through Catholic Education and College, while saving enough to buy a lake cottage on Big Cedar Lake/Tri-Lakes in 1971, and in 1988 on Oliver Lake in LaGrange. The legacy of gathering at "the lake", has made a lifetime of memories for family and friends. "We have laughed, shared wonderful meals and conversations and now get to see the next generation enjoy the gift of the lake thanks to our parents." His love of the little things in life ultimately carried him through. Dahlias, the burnt edges of toast, homemade cinnamon rolls, walks through the yard, white wine, and skeptical conversations about politics with his grandkids which kept him young. Tom "Bud" Quirk will be missed greatly by his children, Sarah Quirk of Grand Rapids, Mich., Michael (Carol) Quirk of Fort Wayne, Jeremy (Elaine) Quirk of Benton Harbor, Mich., and Amy (Bill) Ziegert of Indianapolis, Ind.; grandchildren, Emily (Zack) Winchester, James (Katie) Quirk, Hailey Ziegert-King and Will Ziegert; great-grandchildren, Isaac and Oliver Winchester, Riley and Charlotte King, Owen, Hayden and Nolan Quirk; brother, Frank (Dorothy) Quirk; The Villages, Fla.; and by many, many nieces and nephews. "Special thanks to Erin Long for keeping him physically fit and sharing your family, Covington Springs for the great individual care, Elios Hospice for keeping him comfortable, and to the many friends and colleagues who visited. All of you made an imprint on his life." He was preceded in death by his dear wife, Louise Anne (Lynch); brothers, William, Robert and Lowell; and a sister, who died in infancy. A mass in memory of Tom is 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 1101 Lafayette St., Fort Wayne (IN 46802), with visitation from 9 to 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Catholic Charities or St. Vincent de Paul. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy for the Quirk family may be left at www.greenlawnmpfh.com