Cover photo for James E. Quinn's Obituary
1931 James 2022

James E. Quinn

December 13, 1931 — November 3, 2022

Battle Creek

James E. Quinn, on this date November 3rd, 2022 Jim went to be with his Father in Heaven. He passed at home in the care of his loving wife and HarmonyCares Hospice. He was born in Eckhart, a small coal mining town in western Maryland, to Mr. and Mrs. James F. Quinn on December 13, 1931. Jim graduated from LaSalle High School in Cumberland, MD. In high school he was a lightweight boxer and worked with his father in the flooring business.

He joined the Navy immediately after high school and served for 27 years. He earned the classification of Boatswains Mate 1st class, and Missile Technician 1st class. During his Navy Career he served in the Korean and Vietnam wars. He was stationed and served all over the world. He sailed on the USS Ajax, USS Pensacola, USS Proteus, and the cruiser USS Virgo. In 1976 he was named the Atlantic Fleet Sailor of the Year when stationed on the USS Pensacola. He retired in July of 1977.

After the Navy he spent 8 years as a captain in the US Merchant Marines, working for Mobil Oil, Exxon, and Shell. He worked for Sonat Offshore Drilling on the Discover 7 Seas, a drill ship, when they set 2 world records for water depth, 2 Aug 83- 6448 Ft and 26 May 84 – 6952Ft.

He owned 2 restaurants in Virginia Beach, VA for several years. The Bay Restaurant was on the Chesapeake Bay. He worked as a Facility Manager for ServiceMaster, assigned to various accounts in New York City, and on Long Island at Stoney Brook School. In 1991 he moved to Battle Creek with Marriott and worked at Battle Creek Health System as the Director of Facilities until 1997.  He then took over the Management of the Medical Office Building working for the Graham Group of Des Moines, Iowa, He retired for the final time in 2009.

In 1995 he began pursuing his dream of owning racehorses and formed Windward Acres Stables. He served on the board of Directors of the Michigan Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Assoc. He enjoyed racing and breeding in Michigan, Illinois, and Kentucky. His son, Jim was a great help to him for several years with the horses. Over the years he owned 39 racehorses, in 2002 he had to give up that life due to health.

He was involved with many organizations over the years, Rotary Club, American Heart Association, Community Integrated Recreation (CIR).

Even though he traveled throughout the world he enjoyed traveling after the service. Some memorable trips were on the Amazon River and through the rainforest, Alaska, Europe, Ireland, Scotland, Panama Canal, and 48 of the 50 states with Phyllis. In the last few years many trips with the motorhome to California to visit Tim.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James F. & Grace Quinn; his son, James F. Quinn, Jr., and his 1st wife Erminia. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis Quinn of 29 years; son, Kevin (Kate) Quinn; daughter, Theresa Quinn all from the east coast. Stepsons, Christopher, and Timothy Cathcart; 6 grandchildren, Colin, Cameron, Drew, Quinn, Bailey and Jensen; sister, Francis (Earl) Snyder of Florida; brother and sisters in laws, Phillip and Cathy Roth, and Linda Mills. Many nieces and nephews.

Arrangements are being provided by Kempf Funeral Home and Cremation Services. Cremation has taken place. Family and friends are invited to a Remembrance of Life Gathering on November 21st from 12:00 - 1:30pm at Kempf Funeral Home, 2838 Capital Ave SW, Battle Creek, MI 49015. A committal service with military honors will follow at Fort Custer National Cemetery, 15501 Dickman Road, Augusta, MI 49012 at 2:30pm.  Because of his love for the sea some of his ashes will be spread there at a later date. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Calhoun County Animal Center, 165 Union St S, Battle Creek, MI 49014, http://www.calhouncountyanimalcenter.org/donations.html or K9s for Warriors, by calling Toll-Free: 1-888-819-0112 or by following this link https://k9sforwarriors.org . To share a memory, leave a condolence or sign the online guestbook please visit https://kempffuneralhome.com .

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James E. Quinn, please visit our flower store.

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