Our father, Bernard Francis “Pat” “Bernie” Quinn passed away in the late afternoon of November 20, 2016. Dad was surrounded by his family throughout the day, taking comfort in our presence. His sharp wit, curiosity, and concern for others stayed with him until the end. We join an entire community mourning the loss of this amazing person.
Pat was born December 3, 1928 in West Bolton, VT, the son of John and Marietta York Quinn.
Following graduation from Richmond High School, Dad joined the Army and traveled to Germany as a tank commander. This was a very important time in his life. Throughout his life he honored men and women in service and was active in the Waterbury VFW Chapter. Returning home from the Army he began his career as a meat cutter, working with his father, John Quinn at Larned’s Store in Jonesville. This would eventually become Quinn’s Store when our Dad bought it.
On August 26, 1953, he married our mom, Janet Goodridge Quinn. He loved telling his grandchildren and us about falling in love with her when he would build the fire for her each day in her one room schoolhouse. Our parents were blessed to have nearly 60 years together, until mom’s death on July 6, 2013.
Together they ran Quinn’s store from 1953 to 1985. People came from all over Vermont and from other states as well to experience Dad’s particular way of creating the perfect cut of meat. Customers looked forward to discussions around politics, the economy, their families, his business, and of course, “kids these days” – one of our Dad’s favorite topics! As a customer at Quinn’s Store you knew you would be treated fairly and given a good product. And if you came up short with money, chances are good that our Dad helped you out. Dad’s teasing, joking, and ribbing was a sign of his affection. Although he often found it difficult to say the words, he loved many and loved deeply. Anyone who entered our family became part of it forever. He and our Mom came to be known as Grandma and Grandpa Quinn to generations of children in Jonesville.
Despite a fire that destroyed the original building, Dad went on to rebuild in another location, just down the road from the original. He and mom kept that business running for several years before entering their version of “retirement”. It soon became clear that Dad was meant to work! He lent his gifts to The Pork Shop and Mazza’s, before finding his home with Mike Comeau at the Richmond Market.
The hardest working man most of us will ever see, our Dad’s last day of work was Friday, November 4, 2016. Even during this past week during his illness, he was eager to know when he could return to work and called periodically to check in on things.
Dad leaves us, his children, Patty and Jim Baumann, Cathy Quinn, Michael and Hilary Quinn, Carmel Quinn and Greg Unger, Linda Quinn and Ron Rocheleau, and Barbara Quinn and Jim O’Brien. He found great joy in his grandchildren Zachary Key and Vanessa Harman, Devin Quinn and Michelle Spier, Timmel (Labare) and Tim Albertson, Matt Labare and Ian Sherman, Tucker and Alyssa Labare, Samantha (Vezina) and Sulei Lapalme, Dani Vezina and Cheddhi Thomas, and Jamie Vezina. He was devoted to his great grandchildren who could always bring a smile to his face. Loved by many, he considered his vast extended family to be on equal footing with his biological children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Pat also leaves his sister, Elizabeth Quinn Lavanway and her children, his beloved nieces and nephew. He also leaves his beloved companion Jack, the big white cat. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Theresa Quinn, his niece Theresa (Lavanway) Pomer, his brother-in-law James Lavanway, and his beloved wife, Janet. He was grateful for wonderful neighbors John Cohn and Diane Mariano and the Begins clan who watched over him as if he was their own father.
The family will receive guests from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Monday, November 28, 2016 at Gifford Funeral Home, 22 Depot St. Richmond, VT.
We will celebrate our Dad’s birthday and host “Bernie’s Farewell Tour” on Saturday, December 3, 2016 from 5:30 – 7:30 PM at the Richmond Free Library Community Room, 201 Bridge Street, Richmond, VT. Please join us to share stories and celebrate this wonderful man.
In lieu of flowers, we request donations to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 126 State Street, Montpelier, Vermont 05633.
Visit burlingtonfreepress.com/obituaries to Express condolences and sign the guest book.
