Thomas E. Quinn

Thomas E. Quinn of Churchville passed away while surrounded by the love of his family on Saturday March 8, 2025, at Abington Memorial Hospital. He was 77.
Tom's childhood was spent roaming the steep hills and winding streets of East Falls, Roxborough, and Manayunk along the Schuylkill River and Wissahickon Creek. As a boy, he would assist on carpentry projects with his adored Uncle Bob, who even tied a rope around his waist while working on a roof and told him, "You might fall, but you won't hit the ground."
At age twelve, Tom dragged a wagon full of broken bike parts up Ridge Avenue to Sam Konowal's bike shop. Since Tom had no money, Sam showed him how to fix the bicycle. When Tom returned to show his work, Sam offered him a job. The bike shop opened a new world to Tom and Sam, though not much older, became like a father figure. At the shop, Tom met Mike Erthal, a year younger than him, and through Mike, Timmy Murphy. The three of them became life-long friends and their stories became the stuff of legend in our home, filled with motorcycle trips, military service, Phillies games, and laughter.
One night, Tom decided to enlist without telling his mother, despite having a deferment. When the Army recruiter doubted Tom's score of 95 on the aptitude test and declined a new physical, the Navy recruiter popped their head over the divider and said, "We'll take you, come on over! But you'll have to retake the test." Tom scored a 96 that time and eventually served proudly aboard the USS Bigelow until his honorable discharge in September 1969. In recent years, Tom would bring his eldest grandchildren to volunteer for National Wreaths Across America Day at Washington Crossing National Cemetery.
Tom became a master carpenter for nearly 60 years, building bookcases, cabinets, kitchens, additions, and homes. He had the ability to see what did not yet exist, and to manifest that with tremendous craft, forethought, and pride. No matter the scale of the project, Tom poured his full self into his work and never missed an opportunity to walk a friend or family member out to the garage to show them what he was working on. But what Tom was most proud of was the family he built together with his wife, Denise, over fifty years of marriage.
Tom met Denise Foy, an Irish-Catholic young woman, at what our mom calls, "a dance," and our dad called, "a bar." They fell deeply in love and complemented each other perfectly: him often quiet and pre-meditated; her, outgoing and spontaneous; both deeply caring, united in the values and life they wanted to create as a couple. They moved to a weathered Colonial on a dead-end street in Churchville, Bucks County, which he built and rebuilt endlessly over the years into the dream house we all call home. There, they raised five children with backyard picnics, creative projects, trips to the shore, dinner at 5:30, and stories at bedtime. Mom would tell us fantastic tales of leprechauns, spaceships, and adventure. Dad would tell us the story of our day and what we did together.
As his family expanded, Tom welcomed his children's spouses and loved them like his own kids. When his grandchildren were born, he asked to be called, "Pop," and was famously a baby hog, immediately scooping them up and holding them as often as he could. He made a fuss over their artwork, sang songs with them, took them to see trains, get haircuts and ice cream, and built bird houses and puppet theaters. He especially loved having his whole family together in Stone Harbor for a week each summer and waking his grandkids early to go get a newspaper and donuts with Pop.
Tom made it his life's work to be a present, loving, and involved father. He succeeded to a profound extent that is difficult to describe. He coached our baseball and softball teams, took us to breakfasts, movies, church, played pool, gave hugs, talked about our feelings, gave advice, worked tirelessly on our homes, and told us he loved us, and was proud of us for who we uniquely are, over and over in words and in action. There is no greater gift a parent can give their children, and we are forever grateful.
Tom loved his sisters, his in-laws, his cousins, his nieces, nephews, friends, and co-workers of many years. He cherished all of these relationships in his life and will be missed by many.
In addition to his beloved wife Denise, Tom is survived by his loving children, Thomas E. Quinn, Jr. and his wife Elizabeth; Michael J. Quinn and his wife Danielle; Maura E. Quinn; Eileen D. McCabe and her husband John; and Matthew E. Quinn and his with Samantha; his sister Edith Dougherty and her husband, James; his sister Margaret Morrison and her husband, James; and his sister-in-law, Sheila Kilpatrick. He will always be "Pop" to Tommy III, Shane, Glen, Eloise, Jack, and Nico.
Tom was predeceased by his parents, Ruth (Robinson) and Thomas Martin Quinn; his infant son, Steven Edward; his sister, Leah Ruth Dunst and her husband, Thomas; his sister-in-law Sister Mary Sheila Foy, IHM; his brother-in-law Edward Foy, ESQ, and his wife Margaret; his brother-in-law James Foy; and brother-in-law, James Kilpatrick.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his viewing on Wednesday, March 19th at St. Vincent de Paul Church, 654 Hatboro Rd. Richboro, PA 18954 from 10 am until 12 pm. Words of Remembrances will precede his funeral mass at noon followed by his interment at Washington Crossing National Cemetery, Newtown.
Contributions in his memory may be made to Camilla Hall, 100 Maxis Drive Malvern, PA 19355 and the Tunnels to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306.