William Donovan Quinlan

William Donovan (Bill) Quinlan passed away, surrounded by family on March 23, 2025 at 88 years of age. Beloved husband of Mary Elizabeth (Melanson); loving father of Laura Quinlan of Plymouth, Jeff Quinlan (Kathy) of Marshfield and pre-deceased by his son William Patrick Quinlan. Loving grandfather to Robert Jeffrey and Sean William Quinlan; Marissa Christine and Joshua Chester Trunfio.
William was predeceased by his parents Daniel and Ellen Quinlan of Charlestown; Daniel Quinlan (Christine) of Windham NH, Virginia Marie Peterson (Roger) of Old Lyme CT, and Eileen Mahoney (Aloysius) of Uxbridge MA. He was a loving brother in-law and uncle to dozens of happy souls throughout the country.
Bill was born July 28, 1936 in Boston MA and raised in a family of 6 in Charlestown. At Charlestown High School, Bill was named "Outstanding Underclassmen Athlete" in his junior year. At 19 years old, Bill enlisted in the US Army and served his country with honor overseas, mainly as a tank operator. Upon returning, Bill rekindled with the love of his life - Mary Elizabeth Melanson - and spent the next 64 years hand in hand with Mary. Bill and Mary raised their three children in Marshfield, fully enjoying their time amongst many friends and family as the decades flew by. Years later, Bill and Mary moved to Port Orange FL for 15 great years and then resettled in Plymouth MA to spend their sunset years with their family and grandchildren.
Bill spent his working years as a proud member of Ironworkers Local 7 in Boston, where he and his brothers expertly constructed numerous landmarks, office towers and hotels, along with major additions to Boston area universities and hospitals.
Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the MacDonald Funeral Home, 1755 Ocean Street in Marshfield. Funeral proceedings will start on Wednesday April 2, 2025 at the MacDonald Funeral Home from 9:30-10:30 AM, following with an 11:00 AM Mass held at St. Ann by the Sea Parish Church, 591 Ocean Street in Marshfield. Following the Mass, friends and family are welcomed to an end-of-life celebration lunch at Marshfield Country Club.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, online at: https://www.alz.org/
For online guest book, driving directions and other helpful information, please visit the website macdonaldfuneralhome.com