Quin, Gerard J.

Gerard Joseph Quin, 100, passed away peacefully in his Walpole home on Tuesday, December 15, 2020, surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Watertown on January 7, 1920, he was the son of the late William and Mary (MacDonald) Quin. He was raised in Brighton, where he graduated from Saint Columbkille High School with the Class of 1937. Following his graduation, Gerard took a position with Columbia Records in Boston. While attending a dance at Norumbega Park one evening, Gerard noticed a young woman, Mary A. Scahill, and asked her to dance. This began their courtship of several years, with plans of marriage. Their courtship was interrupted by the outbreak of World War II; however, they made a promise to each other to uphold their plans once the war had ended.

As World War II escalated, Gerard answered the call of his country, enlisting in the United States Army, while his sweetheart, Mary, enlisted in the United States Navy. After completing basic training, he was stationed with Headquarters Detachment XIV Corps and shipped out to the Asiatic Pacific Theater of Operations, spending time on many islands in the Pacific, including New Georgia, Bougainville, the Solomon Islands, Luzon, and the Philippine Islands. For his outstanding service to the U.S. Army, Gerard was awarded the Bronze Star, noting his design of the accounting system for enemy casualties and captured equipment, as well as his diligent study of the enemy situation and voluntary visits to the front line to pass the intel he gathered along to the troops. Gerard was honorably discharged in November of 1945 after earning the rank of technical sergeant.

Upon his return home to Brighton following the war, Gerard made good on his promise, marrying Mary on February 2, 1946, in Saint Patrick’s Church in Roxbury. The young couple made their home in Watertown and Gerard took a position with Filene’s Department Store in Boston. One day at work, his friend mentioned a position opening at the New England Telephone Company, and Gerard wasted no time in applying for the lineman position, which he quickly earned. Gerard’s new job afforded him the ability to move out of the city and make his family’s home in Canton, where he raised his three sons. After several years serving as a lineman, Gerard took a promotion, beginning his career as a PBX wiring installer, working in various buildings in and around Boston. He retired from the telephone company as a lineman manager in 1984.

Following his retirement, Gerard picked up his passion for ballroom dancing that he and Mary shared before the war; they could clear the floor in no time, as everyone loved to watch them glide across the room. Together, they began to teach others, holding classes on every type of ballroom dancing they knew. Second to dancing was Gerard’s love for the game of golf. He spent countless hours with his friends from the R&R Club at Wampatuck Country Club, where he had his first hole-in-one. As a man of strong faith, Gerard was a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus, Council 2095 in Canton, where he could regularly be found calling all the Bingo tournaments.

In 1993, Gerard and Mary made their home at Royal Crest in Walpole, overlooking the pristine golf course that Gerard played often. He made new friends in the Royal Crest 100 Club and made his second hole-in-one on the course just outside his door. As the cold weather began to move into New England, Gerard and Mary would pack up and head south to Zellwood, Florida, where they enjoyed the sunshine and the occasional round of golf during the winter months.

Most of all, Gerard will be remembered as an easygoing guy who loved spending time with his family and friends, and always earned the respect of anyone he met.

Beloved husband of the late Mary A. (Scahill) Quin. Loving father of Thomas G. Quin of Sharon, Gerard W. Quin and his wife, Linda, of Canton, and the late Donald G. Quin and his surviving wife, Debra, of San Diego, CA. Cherished grandfather of Meagan, Danielle, Devin, Matthew, Michael, Sean, and Ian; and great-grandfather of 13. He was predeceased by his 13 brothers and sisters.

As a result of the ongoing and ever developing health crisis in the world and with genuine concern for the people whom they love, Gerard’s family has decided that his funeral services will take place privately, with interment taking place in Saint Mary’s Cemetery in Canton. A memorial service will be held in the future, when all can gather without restrictions.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Saint Columbkille Partnership School, 25 Arlington St., Brighton, MA 02135. Arrangements by James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, Walpole.

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Posted by Canton Citizen on Dec 24 2020. Filed under Obituaries. Both comments and pings are currently closed.