Dr. William J. Quinlan, 85, of North Palm Beach, Florida formerly of Mattapoisett passed away at Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center in Florida on April 11, 2018.
Born in New Bedford, the son of the late William J. and Kathryn (Dorgan) Quinlan, he was a standout baseball/basketball player at Holy Family High School. He attended Providence College on a basketball scholarship. He served in the Army Reserves. He obtained his Master's degree at Bridgewater State College and his PhD in Education at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Dr. Quinlan held many educational positions in Southeastern Massachusetts, including teaching in high school and college. He served as Director of Pupil Services in Wareham and Silver Lake in Kingston. He finished in career as the Director of Special Needs in Fairhaven and Acushnet. In retirement he started Regis Consultants, an educational consulting firm. He and Nancy retired to Florida in 1994 and had many fond memories and travel.
He was an avid golfer and sports enthusiast. He was a 50 year member of the Country Club of New Bedford and two time August Fourball champion. He was also a member of North Palm and West Palm Beach Country Clubs.
He was an involved and engaged father and grandfather. He enjoyed attending many sports and musical events. His love and guidance will be missed.
He is survived by Nancy his wife of 59 years, his children, Kathleen (Michael) Corrigan, Cheryl (Paul) Coucci, William (Dina), and Timothy (fiancé Kim), seven grandchildren, Ryan and Katherine Corrigan, Ashley, Paul and Alex Coucci, Mia and Matthew Quinlan, a step great-grandson, Jackson Drucker, his sisters-in-law, Theresa Patistea, Cora Regis, and Anne Quinlan, and nieces, nephews and many friends. He was the brother of the late John and Paul Quinlan.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday April 24, 2018 at 10 AM at St. Anthony's Church, Mattapoisett. Burial will follow in St. Anthony's Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Monday April 23, 2018 from 4-7 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Route 6, Mattapoisett. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in his memory to American Parkinson’s Disease Association, South Florida Chapter, Attn: Director Rebecca Hahessy, 700 West Hillsborough Blvd. #3-110, Deerfield Beach, Florida 33441. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.