John R. Quinn

1928 - 2016

Quinn, John R.

John Richard Quinn, died peacefully at home surrounded by family March 17, 2016 at the age of 87 years. Treasured husband of Maggie (nee Scanlon) of 52 years. He struggled with dementia (Alzheimer's) these past eight years.

John was known for his kindness, compassion, generosity, optimism, creativity, storytelling, and quick wit. As a strong testament to his joyful spirit and great sense of humor, family and friends visited John and Maggie in all of the cities they have lived in: Chicago, New York City, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Rochester, Milwaukee, and Sheboygan.

He was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on May 6, 1928. He was the eighth of nine children. John had five older sisters (Mimi, Rita, Eileen, Betty, and Jeanne), two older brothers (both died in infancy), and a younger brother, Paul, who had Downs Syndrome. When he was a young child he and his family moved to Chicago, Illinois. He and his sisters had an incredible bond of love and laughter which resulted in family gatherings spanning more than 70 years…and they all have the photos to prove it!

In 1950 he graduated from Loyola University with a PhB (English major). He joined the U.S. Army in 1950 and served with the 24th Infantry Division for two years in the Korean War. He was an army journalist on the front lines. Many of his articles were published in the Stars and Stripes. He was discharged with rank of Sergeant. In 1957 he graduated from the University of Chicago with a MBA in Personnel and Industrial Relations. In 1966 he graduated from Loyola University with a MA in Psychology. In 1960-62 he attended the Improvisational Theater Skills Second City Workshop in Chicago. He then helped run the children's theater of Second City in Chicago.

John and Maggie met at Catholic Charities in Chicago in 1962. John was volunteering part time with emotionally disturbed children while Maggie was employed as a social worker. John was captivated by Maggie's Irish/English heritage, and all her enthusiasms and commitments for civil rights and social justice and fun. They went to Maggie's home in Sheffield, England to get married on August 17, 1963. The Irish/English family loved him instantly and he met some of his own relatives for the first time. Traveling home to England to see family was a priority. Maggie appreciated John's support in attaining her law degree and in her political and community endeavors. John loved his large family, good chocolate, ice cream, movies, all British mysteries, hikes, photography, jazz, reading, travel, theater, art, and tai chi.

John so enjoyed spending time with his many nephews and nieces. He was thrilled to have children of his own. Maeve and Brian enlarged his life by adding so much zest and joy to life. His brother Paul moved to live with the family in Cincinnati for twelve years when they purchased their first home. Life got even better when the family expanded with the marriage of Maeve to Andy Ross and the marriage of Brian to Lisa Clark. John treasured his role of "Papa" to his wonderful grandchildren (Morgan, Annika, Duncan, and Mackenzie). He delighted in fully participating in their world: reading, acting, dancing, hiking, watching sports, playing games, and laughing.

John was an accomplished human resource professional with over 40 years of broad experience in profit and non-profit large and small organizations. He worked with the Industrial relations Center of the University of Chicago, Federated Department Stores (the Corporate Headquarters and Shillito's --now Lazarus in Cincinnati, Ohio), Associated Dry Goods (Stix Baer & Fuller—now Dillards in St. Louis, Missouri and Sibley's in Rochester, New York). Later in Cincinnati he started his own consultant business specializing in organization and management effectiveness. In Milwaukee he continued his consultant business and worked as a mediator for the United States Post Office and Waukesha County.

John always tried to keep fit and healthy. Although his basketball days were long behind him, he began jogging in the 1970's, Tai Chi in the 1980's, and most recently joined the yoga scene in Wisconsin. We will make only a brief mention of the foray into Judo, and its resulting knee injury.

John always volunteered in a variety of activities especially to improve the lives of children. He was a member and a leader of a variety of boards and organizations such as: Cincinnati Board of Health, Urban League, Seven Hills Neighborhood House, Council of Communications of the Cincinnati Public Schools, Tai Chi Instructor, New England Culinary Institute, Habitat for Humanity, International Executive Service Corps, Waukesha Mediation and Restorative Justice Center, Grant School, and the Elementary School for the Arts and Academics. His leadership resulted in an increase of health clinics in low-income neighborhoods, a new roller skating rink in the inner city, a Partners-in-Education program with an inner city high school, improved housing in Mississippi, helped people develop and improve their businesses in Lithuania and Poland, mediated to help people solve problems and avoid litigation, taught many people Tai Chi, and read with children weekly in Ms. Marzouki's and Mrs. Rechtfertig's classrooms in Sheboygan.

John will be missed by his family and friends in United States, Canada, England, Scotland, Ireland, and Australia: his wife, Maggie and his children: Maeve Quinn (Andy Ross) of Sheboygan, WI and Brian Quinn (Lisa Clark) of St. Paul, MN. His grandchildren: Morgan Ross, Annika Quinn, Duncan Quinn, and Mackenzie Ross

His sisters: Eileen Pausback, in Austin, Texas and Jeanne Mulvenna in Winnipeg, Canada; his Irish/English family: Bridget Fawcett, Sheffield, England; Peter and Josie Scanlon, Edale, England; and Bernard and Anne Scanlon, Nottingham, England.

His nieces and nephews: Quin and Simin Frazer, Greg and Carissa Frazer, Suzanne Frazer, Mimi Kay Frazer, Mary Ann Frazer and Michael Collins, Nancy Kelly, Bob(Hop) Fisher, Mike and Carrie Fisher, John Fisher, Peg and Dave Kastberg, Mark and Sue Fisher, Pat and Carolyn Fisher, Lawrence Pausback, Nick and Lisa Pausback, John Pausback, Dan Pausback, Al and Margaret Mulvenna, Pat and Phil Trottier, Chuck Mulvenna and Cathy LaPointe, Tom and Wendy Mulvenna, Mary Jeanne and Mel Miller, Julie Sue and Trent Wood, Chris and Cathy Scanlon, Martin and Jay Scanlon, Tim and Alex Scanlon, Mike and Katrin Scanlon, Richard Scanlon, Phil and Sue Scanlon, Julie Scanlon and James Ailsby, Tina Fawcett and Richard Blundel, and Geraldine and Scott Ramsay.

His great nieces and great nephews: Matthew and Jackie Frazer, Sarah Frazer, Lauren Mather, Devin Mather, Erica Frazer, Mark Frazer, Lisa and Brian Callahan, Kenneth Battistella and Kendall Stachniak, Laura Rodriguez, Kimberly and Michael Carter, Colleen and Dan Ralson, Chris Fisher, Carly Fisher, Lindsay Fisher, Brett Fisher, Jenna Fisher, Kyle Kastberg, David Kastberg, Kelly Kastberg, Claire Fisher, Carla Mulvenna and Jeff Keele, Charles Mulvenna and Giulia De Leo, Tom Trottier, Gen Trottier and Tai Lu, Alexis Mulvenna, Josh and Evan Mulvenna, Joe Mulvenna, Samantha Mulvenna, Louis Mulvenna, Quinn Miller, McKenzie Miller, Riley Wood, Gabby Scanlon, Esther Scanlon, William Scanlon, Benjamin Scanlon, Charlotte Scanlon, Elizabeth Scanlon, George Ailsby, Olivia Ailsby, Thomas Ailsby, Freya Blundel, Robbie Blundel, James Ramsay.

His great great nieces and nephews: Mateito Frazer, Gabrielle Milewski, Tyler Stachniak, Leila Battistella, Alexis Rodriguez, Selena Rodriguez, Kendall Rodriguez, James Rodriguez, Ryder Eggleston, Hunter Eggleston, Grace Carter, Michael Carter, Olivia Carter, Sophia Carter, Daniel Ralson, Kayla Ralson, Alayna Ralson, Lauren Trottier, Jaicob Lu, Belle Lu, Grady Keele, Declan Keele, Ellyiot Mulvenna. His great great great niece and nephews: Aubry Milewski and Andrew Milewski.

His cousins: Roderick and Bernadette Quinn, Sister Ellen McGovern, Sister Winifred McGovern, Mary Clark, Marie Therese Clark, Patti Chiaramate, Jo Anne Clark, Colleen Panega, Peggy Clark, Marie Morris.

His Friends: John and Helen Moshak, Marilyn O'Shea, Joan Kallman, Mary Armor, Kathy and Robert Laufman, Al Gerhardstein and Mimi Gingold, Barbara and Ev Landon, Irene Wright, Sister Joel Read, Janet Ross, Carla Ross and Greg Bohn, Lily Bohn, Chloe Bohn, Sara Church, Awni and Debbie Sarrif, Tim and Marcia Church, Virginia and Mick Mikkelson, Martha Wortche, Jeanne Kobuszewski, Roxie and Don Mueller, Ann and Randall Styx, Linda and Marv Stein.

John was preceded in death by his father, James Quinn, his mother, Susan (MaGrady); three brothers: James Francis, Vincent Gregory and Paul; three sisters: Mimi, Rita, Betty; nieces and nephews: Kathy Battistella, Jimmy Fisher, and Jimmy Mulvenna.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his memory may be made to Alverno College in Milwaukee, Robert A. Taft Information Technology High School in Cincinnati, Great River School in St. Paul, Mead Public Library Foundation in Sheboygan, or the Theater for Young Audiences in Sheboygan.

A mass will take place on Saturday, April 30 at 1:00pm at St. Clements Church in Sheboygan officiated by Father Matthew J. Widder followed by a visitation and celebration of his life at the home of Maeve Quinn and Andy Ross, 310 St. Clair Avenue, Sheboygan. The Olson Funeral Home & Cremation Service has been entrusted with John's arrangements.

The family would like to thank the caretakers who have eased John's journey through Alzheimer's disease and cancer: a special thank you to Comfort Care workers Becky Rivera and Julie Davidson for their kindness and care towards John these past few years. We appreciate Maryann Dolson for providing in home adaptive yoga and movement as well treating him to regular chocolate treats. Additionally, we would like to thank Ginny Nyhuis of the Alzheimer's Association, Dr. William R. Davis, Dr. Greg Grose, Nurse Jennifer, Dr. Cynthia Northrup and Nurse Kelly Dawson for ensuring a respectful journey of his wishes in his health care. Finally we would like to thank the nurses and staff of Sharon Richardson Community Hospice for providing care and comfort: Roxanne, Nicole, Kristy, Lindsay, Anne, John, Candace, Kathy, and Lynn.