Frederick H. Quinn Obituary (1934 - 2020)

Frederick Quinn, known to his family as Fred or "Freddie", passed away peacefully on August 19, 2020 at Beth Israel Hospital in Newark with his son Martin, his son-in-law Rob, and good friend Gail, cousin to his wife Terry at his side. Fred was born on June 4, 1934 near Jessup, Pennsylvania to Gertrude and Joseph Quinn. He was the oldest of six children: his brothers Charles, Dennis, and Robert and sisters Nancy and Barbara would spend their summers at Chapman Lake with their Aunt Marion and her children, cousins Shelly and Judy, the Benowitzes, and grandparents throughout their childhood. Fred was always known for his stories of family as well as stories of friends and acquaintances alike who shared their personal accounts of how they met. Once the President of the Garden State Storytellers League, he always cherished the sentiment and emotional connection a good story could provide. His own story of how he met his wife of almost 51 years, Terry, was one of his favorites. While serving as a priest for the Archdiocese of Newark, who delivered his sermons in Jersey City in both English and Spanish, he met Sister Ann Joseph, a Dominican nun who shared his passion for music, humor, and civil service. Meeting at a protest for low income housing in Newark, their shared ideals blossomed into a true friendship, the foundation for their marriage. Fred has three loving children, Martin, Marisa, and Monica, and three grandchildren, Elliot, Ben, and Sofia, who always loved his sense of humor, call to activism, kind heart, and love of music. Always patient and kind, his connection with people extended into his work. A vocational counselor at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation for many years, Fred gave hope to many people who needed guidance and understanding at a time in their lives when they experienced transition and hardship. Fred always helped people feel wanted and allowed them to recognize their true potential. Jay Cupo, once a patient, and now a life-long friend, was one person who Fred helped along the way, and whose friendship he valued until his death. There are so many things that could be said about Fred Quinn. He touched the lives of those he had met and really made everyone feel special, loved, and valued. His wife Terry, his children and grandchildren, brothers and sisters, good friend Loretta, and other family members and friends will feel an emptiness in his passing but will also share a bad joke, tell a story, sing a song, and fight for equal rights and justice as a testament to his legacy. Fred wouldn't expect anything less.