Dennis Dean Quinlan

1939 - 2012

Dennis Dean Quinlan, age 72, died peacefully at home on Tuesday evening, April 17. He was born Dec. 26, 1939, at a private home in Butte City, CA., to Sherman William and Hyral Brolyer Quinlan.

Dennis' father worked construction, building roads in Northern California, and the family eventually settled in Napa County in 1945. He started his education in a rural two-room, eighth-grade, schoolhouse in American Canyon, and graduated from Napa Union High School in 1958 and from Napa Junior College in 1961.

Dennis began his working career feeding chickens in the family egg business after school. Later, due to his love for speed and involvement in drag racing (both AA fuel dragsters and boats), he partnered with Mike Blessing in the short-lived Valley Speed Center. When the family business changed from eggs to tires, Dennis joined his father in establishing Quinlan's Tire Service in 1959, taking over the reins in 1982 and passing them on to his son in 2005.

He was a loving and supportive husband to Rosemarie, his wife of 40 years, and together they raised three children. He loved being Pa-Pa to his adorable granddaughter, Alexandra, and seeing the world through her eyes.

Dennis was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed snow skiing, boating and waterskiing at Lake Berryessa. He learned responsibility, good sportsmanship, the love of hunting and fishing from his father, and passed that on to his children. Many hunting trips and stories told around a campfire were enjoyed with his children and friends.

Dennis served in the U. S. Army Reserve, 91st Division, 362nd Regiment, Company F, St. Helena. He was a member of the Napa Rifle and Pistol Club, Safari Club International, Ducks Unlimited, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Mule Deer Foundation, California Deer Association, and was a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association.

In addition to his wife, Rosemarie, Dennis is survived by his son, Aron Quinlan of Napa; daughters, Stephanie Quinlan of San Francisco and Kelly (Phil) Charnas and their daughter, Alexandra Eirene of San Mateo. He is also survived by twin sisters, Joyce (John) Estes of Vallejo and Sharon (Max) Sanders and their daughter, Marcelline of Napa; sister-in-law, Linda (Eric) Grindeland of Panama City Beach, FL.; niece, Courtney (Chris) Smith and their sons, Jared and Jacob of Fresno; nephew, George (Cindy) Lorenzetti of Fresno; brother-in-law, Jesse (Nancy) Tafoya and their daughters, Terrina and Teresa of Manhatten, KS.; mother-in-law, Paula Tafoya of Dos Palos, CA. He was predeceased by his parents, and beloved niece, Debra Estes.

Visitation and viewing on Saturday evening from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at Tulocay Cemetery Chapel.

Memorial Service with Monsignor Joe Alzugaray officiating, will be held Sunday, April 22, at 11:30 a.m., Tulocay Cemetery Chapel, 411 Coombsville Road, Napa, reception will follow.

Donations honoring Dennis may be made to Queen of the Valley Medical Center Foundation, 1000 Trancas St., Napa, CA 94558, or charity of donor's choice. Memories and words of sympathy may be sent to the family on-line at www.tulocaycemetery.org.