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John McQuinn Obituary
Dec 25, 1926 - Jun 11, 2012
Born in Union, NE to Fannie (McCarroll) and Clifford McQuinn. Died after the death of his wife of 62+ years, Irene on 4/6/2012. Long time principal in Omaha Public Schools, primarily at Bryan High School from its opening until his retirement in 1987. Loved geneology, history and never tired of spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ. Active in the Methodist Church. Member of many religious & professional organizations. Devoted to his family. Survived by son John and Cathy McQuinn of Lincoln, daughter Maureen and Tim McNamara of Bellevue; granddaughters Jennifer McQuinn and Ben Anthony of Omaha, Molly McNamara of Bellevue; brother Richard and Elinor Mougey of Union; sisters in law Martha McQuin and Norma Finkle; brother in law Jim and Phyllis Finkle; numerous nieces and nephews.
FUNERAL SERVICE Wednesday 1:30pm St. James Methodist Church, 1501 Franklin in Bellevue. VISITATION from 12:30 pm to service time at the church. Interment East Union Cemetery, Union, Nebraska. Memorials to St. James Methodist Church or O.P.S. Foundation. JOHN A. GENTLEMAN MORTUARIES
BELLEVUE/SARPY CO. CHAPEL
3402 Samson Way, Bellevue, NE
402-293-0999
www.johnagentleman.com
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Memories and Condolences
for John McQuinn
John and Irene and family June 2007
Lowell Schaefer
July 11, 2012
John at family reunion June 2007
Lowell Schaefer
July 11, 2012
Lowell Schaefer
July 11, 2012
Dearest Uncle John
Oh, what warm and fond memories you have given to me and to many, many others as well. You and Irene were wonderful hosts, as also were my parents. You always made time to spend with us, from my days as a young boy to our last visit in April at Irene's passing. I cherish even the last few minutes I stole alone with you in the hearse out of the rain at the cemetery in Union, saying what I suspected would be our last goodbyes. Your body was frail and your heart was aching in your recent loss. I could tell that you were just waiting to be reunited with your dear wife of so many wonderful years. Your life was coming full circle, and you knew that God would be calling you home soon to express His gratitude for a life well-lived.
I remember driving from OK in 1981 to visit you with our young daughter, Amanda. Then again, 26 years later she flew in to join us for the family reunion in MO. You invited family over to share a dinner and visit and create new bonds among the younger members of the family. I always remember the great meals that Irene would put together, even as her vision and memory were starting to fade. I particularly remember that you would also take the time for just the two of us to sit and chat about everything under the sun. You were like a father to me, as well as a mentor. I just wish we would have lived closer so that we could have shared many more moments such as those. I know you were a great father to your own children, and proud grandfather as well. And to your thousands of students over the years, you were like a father, even a mentor and most certainly a role model to all. You were a true gentleman and a man of God, with a strong sense of integrity and loyalty, involved in your local church, and local government, and the spreading of God's Word through the Gideons, as well as your personal witness.
Yes, you left a legacy that will be hard for the next generation to follow, but try we must, as the world needs more men like John McQuinn. I think Johnny and Maureen and their respective families would agree that their parents were special in the hearts and minds of people too numerous to know. I count it a blessing to have been one of those fortunate ones.
Maureen McNamara
July 11, 2012
Dearest Family and Friends,
We deeply treasure your thoughts and words of sympathy, compassion and remembrance of Dad and Mom; these thoughts and words bring solace, comfort and, most of all, pride. While we shed tears of sadness, devastation and emptiness, your kind words remind us of our everlasting hope for life eternal with our loving Lord. What could be a better gift for our parents?
I am so very proud of my parents and the love they showed us through the years. Your entries are indicative of the humbling impact they had on all of us without realizing it or expecting it.
Love to our family, friends, St. James, and the ever-loyal Bryan family who still holds a special part of our hearts.
July 10, 2012
UNC. JOHN.. I TREASURE OUR LONG TALKS ABOUT THE LORD AND HIS DEALINGS... ALL TOO LONG AGO WAS 0UR LAST ONE... REMEMBERING THE HS DAYS & MY STAYING OVERNIGHTS WHEN BAD WEATHER HIT THE WORLD... SEEMS SO VERY LONG AGO, OR ONLY YESTERDAY..WILL TALK AGAIN WHEN WE MEET TOGETHER IN GLORY..IT GETS CLOSER BY THE DAY.LOVE, NEICE RAMONA
Lyle Schaefer
July 8, 2012
I know this is late, but I have been thinking of what my Uncle John has meant to me and wanted to make sure I could remember all the fond memories that I had of him before I left my note.
John was special to our family because he was orphaned very early in life. His mother passed away from an illness and his father was killed in a car accident. John went to live with his grandparents McQuin and my mother Marcella became his second mother. She basically raised John and after she graduated from high school and went to Peru State Teachers college for one year, she returned to be the school teacher in the little rural school near their farm. John was her favorite student and would always arrive at school and say "good morning Miss McQuin" when he arrived. My mother chronicled their relationship growing up in her autobiography. Because they had such a special relationship, we would see John often after I came into the family. I remember during the war he went off to serve in the Army as a Military Policeman. My mother was always so proud of him and how he looked in his uniform. Before he was married, he would frequently come by just to visit Marcella (and the rest of us of course).
She tells of his high school days when he would walk to school in Union from the farm, which was over 5 miles along muddy and snowy country roads. He was active in sports and quite a good basketball player. After the war was over, he went off to the University of Nebraska and got his teaching degree. About that time, we migrated to Colorado in 1951 and I did not see my Uncle very often after that. I do remember going back to visit the family in Nebraska after my high school graduation. My Uncle John, who was a principal at that time I believe, gave me a Thesaurus which I treasured and used often when I went off to college; I still have that book. I remember my Uncle John telling me to enjoy the moment of high school graduation and the gifts because "that is the only graduation they make a big deal of"; he was right.
He and Irene would travel to Colorado occasionally to visit my mother, but I had left home by then and gone off to the Navy, so I did not see him much. He was a faithful soldier and came to my mother's funeral in Mead, CO. It was an emotional event for me, but my Uncle John was kind enough to offer the prayer at her funeral. I remember him giving the morning prayers at church services when I was a child. His prayers were always an inspiration because he had a special relationship with his Lord and could talk to him like an evangelical preacher.
My memories of my Uncle John are indelible and will stay with me forever. I am only sorry that I could not have been closer to him growing up; he would have been a great mentor. Not many people can leave this earth with a track record of contributions greater than his to his family, his students, his friends and to his God. May his soul rest in peace and may the Lord comfort those who grieve his loss.
Iola Isely
June 19, 2012
Dear Cousins John & Cathy; Maureen & Tim and families:
We were saddened to hear of the passing of your dear father...our "Uncle" John, but can rejoice that he is now resting in peace in His eternal home in Heaven, with his beloved Irene. I remember living with them the summer that Maureen was born, and helping out. Their home was such a loving atmosphere. How they both loved you, their children...and then their grandchildren. We who remain have been left with rich legacies from the generation(s) who have gone before us. With the passing of time we are reminded that we, too, are growing older! That can be a humbling thought, provoking us to think about the days remaining, and making sure that our lives are "in order". Most importantly, that our souls are prepared to spend eternity with the Lord. How thankful I am that your dear Dad loved the Lord so much, and was faithful in witnessing to others of His faith, and praying for people. He was a man of integrity and character, well respected and his life was a tribute to His God and his family and all of us who had the privilege and blessing of knowing and loving him. We extend to each of you our heartfelt love and sympathy in the loss of one so dear to your hearts.
Love and prayers,
Cousins Iola and Alan Isely and families.
Irene (Rich) Keist
June 18, 2012
Dear cousins John and Maureen and familes: Our hearts ache with yours at the loss of our Uncle John McQuinn, your loving father. How sad that he passed away so soon after your dear mother, but now they are together once again in their Eternal home in Heaven.
May God comfort and strengthen you in your great loss, and may beautiful memories flood your hearts every day of your precious mother and father. What a legacy they have left you! Our love, sympathy, and blessings to you all. Cousins John and Irene (Rich) Keist
Lisa Todd
June 15, 2012
Dr. McQuin was a wonderful man, whose faith touched many people. His daily "God Bless You" greeting to everyone he came across meant a lot to so many people. As a South High alumni, I enjoyed teasing him about the long ago rivalry between Bryan & South. My sympathies go out to all of you.
Gayle (Belland) McConnell
June 14, 2012
Dr. McQuinn was an amazing man and principal. So many wonderful memories of him at Bryan High. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. Class of 1973.
Jerry, Brenda, David, and Mikayla Schumacher
June 14, 2012
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. He was a good man and I am sure Irene is glad he is by her side again.
Jan Baxter
June 14, 2012
Thoughts and prayers for Dr. McQuinn's family.
Jan Hendrix Baxter
Bryan High 1980
Susan Christensen Blum
June 13, 2012
My condolences on the loss of your Father & Mother. Such a difficult time for you all. You are in the thoughts of so many people.
Barbara Ahmann
June 13, 2012
He was a great man and wonderful principal-God Bless.
June 13, 2012
A wonderful principal and a man of honor. You have our deepest sympathies. Helen Martinez and family
Rita Ransey
June 13, 2012
I am so sorry to hear about Dr McQuinn, he was a wonderful principal at Bryan High School, especially for the class of 81. (Girls Basketball Team)
Paula (Stouder) Craig
June 13, 2012
What a Great Man he was ! I was in the 1st Graduating class from Bryan 1968. My Parents adored him and so did I. How proud you all must be to call him... Father and Grandfather
Pat and Jerry Boynton
June 13, 2012
Blessings to all at this sad time. We remember John as a wonderful neighbor during our years on Bellevue Blvd.
Debi Rowe (Janssen)
June 13, 2012
Dr McQuinn was the principal when I was at both Bryan Jr & Bryan SR High. What a wonderful caring man. He got the respect he deserved and we are all better people because of him. My condolences to the family.
Debi Rowe class of 1970
Deborah Klein
June 13, 2012
I remember Dr. McQuinn as a wonderful man and a great leader while at Bryan. My condolences to his family and close friends.
jill nichols
June 13, 2012
i remember dr mcquinn fondly from my years at bryan high~ condolences to the family~ godspeed dr. mcquinn~
Jack Miller
June 12, 2012
Dr.McQuinn, Was a kind person, thanks for the memories.Jack Miller class 1969.
Jack Miller
June 12, 2012
May you find comfort in remembering your beloved father this Father's Day, and every day.
Diane Jenkins Art Mead
June 12, 2012
To the family of Dr. McQuinn. My dad and John went to grade school together down by Union. They lived not to far apart when they were kids. I remember him from Bryan High School where my kids went to school. We could not have had a better principal. My dad and I would see John and Irene several times when we would go to East Union on Memorial Day. My deepest sympathy to your family. He will be greatly missed.
Jack L. Allen
June 12, 2012
John was the principal at Bryan Junior-Senior High School during years I split my time between being the Sarpy County Sheriff's juvenile officer and the Sarpy County Judge's probation officer. So John and I had numerous occasions to work together. It didn't take long to learn of his total commitment to children. He cared about the students I dealt with, especially those in trouble for the first time.
John often shared confidential information when he felt there were circumstances the court ought to consider. I will cite one example because it says so much about what kind of man John was. One boy was repeatedly in trouble, always within days of report cards coming out. The County Attorney lost patience and said the next time the boy was arrested he would ask the judge to commit him to the Boys Training School at Kearney. John called me to his office and spoke for the boy. He was never a problem in school and John deeply admired him for his grades. He was a straight C student which, John confided, meant the boy was working above his ability. And that was the problem. His father wanted him to go to college and demanded better grades. The boy's failure to get Bs and As was punished and the boy rebelled by vandalizing property. The judge considered the information John provided and extended the boy's probation, adding an order that John and I jointly counsel the boy's father. The father ultimately realized his son wasn't college material and repeatedly let his son know how proud he was of his classroom accomplishments.
The boy's troubles with the law ended, he graduated from high school and went on to a blue collar career. Of all the graduates that commencement day, John Beamed the proudest when that boy walked across the stage. The lad probably never knew that John McQuinn's intervention likely changed the course of his life.
John was a kind and caring professional and set the standard for what an educator ought to be.
He lost his beloved wife Irene just a few weeks ago and now our Lord has united them in Heaven.
Joleen George
June 12, 2012
Sincere sympathy is extended to Dr. McQuinn's family. I remember him from his days at Ashland Park and as a peer of my husband Leslie at the high school level. He was a a great gentlemen and educator.
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