JAMES S. QUIRK

QUIRK--James Stephen, died on July 6, 2014 at home in Richmond, VA following a brief illness. He was the founder and chairman, until 2007, of the Alliance of Dedicated Cancer Centers. The Alliance served to network and address common Medicare funding and governmental and administrative issues within the Cancer Centers of the United States designated as "Comprehensive" by the US government. Jim was one of the five members of the task group who formed the National Cancer Center Network, a body which developed authoritive treatment guidelines for the majority of cancers. He worked for over twenty-five years at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City where he served as Senior Vice President for Research Resources Management. He retired in 2006. Jim was born in Johnstown, PA. June 25, 1938, son of Dr. Thomas C. Quirk and Ruth Pyle Quirk. He was graduated with an MA degree from the University of Pittsburgh and first worked at the Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at NIH as a grants officer. While at NIH, he was called to be a staff member on President Lyndon Johnson's special committee to study health care demographics. After leaving NIH, Jim was the administrator of the Cancer Center at Columbia University. Jim is survived by his wife of 52 years, the former Barbara Pensinger also from Johnstown, PA. He is also survived by two sons: Dr. J. Stephen Quirk, ll, husband of Dr. Anne Nelson of Alpharetta, GA and Andrew S. Quirk, husband of Joan Quirk of Brentwood, TN and five grandchildren: Zachary and Amanda of Alpharetta and Erynn, Sarah, and Liam of Brentwood. Jim is survived by three brothers: Thomas C., Jr. of Pittsburgh, PA, Richard F. of Richmond, VA, and Dr. George P. of Houston, TX. and nine nieces and nephews. Jim is remembered for his willingness to help people, often finding physician referrals for strangers who were given his name for assistance in finding health care. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11am, Monday, August 25, 2014 at Saint Bridget's Catholic Church 6006 Three Chopt Road, Richmond, VA. 23226. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Central Virginia Food Bank 1415 Rhoadmiller St. Richmond, VA. 23220.