Father John Lawrence Quinn

Rev. John L. Quinn, a priest of the Archdiocese of New York for 63 years, died on June 14, 2025 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, at the age of 88. Father John was born in New York on September 23, 1936 to Irish immigrant parents Lawrence Quinn and Rita Mitchell Quinn. Ordained in May of 1962, he later served, for 20 years, as a Catholic Air Force Chaplain. His ministerial assignments included Turkey, Bosnia, Louisiana, England, Panama, San Antonio and Iceland. Following retirement from the Air Force, Father John traveled the United States, preaching on behalf of the poor, first through Christian Foundation for Children and Aging (currently called Unbound) and then through Cross Catholic Outreach, ending in 2020. For the last 5 years, Father John helped out in a number of parishes in the Fort Lauderdale area by celebrating weekday and weekend masses as well as being the celebrant for many local funerals. He was beloved in those parishes for his preaching and warm loving presence to the parishioners.

Father John lived a vibrant, enthusiastic life with many interests including horse- back riding, tennis, bicycling, swimming, reading, piano playing and Broadway theater. He also loved serving as chaplain on cruise ships over many years. He developed many friendships because of his engaging personality filled with humor and storytelling.

In addition to his parents, Father John was predeceased by his sisters Rita Quinn Gilmore and Maureen Quinn. He is survived by his beloved youngest sister, Sister Eileen Quinn, OSF, of Manchester, Maryland, his cousins in Ireland and many treasured friends all around the world.

A Memorial Mass was celebrated for Father John at St. Clement’s Catholic Church in Wilton Manors, Florida on June 16. His cremains will be buried in Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne, New York. A funeral Mass will be celebrated in the cemetery chapel by Bishop Edmund Whalen, Auxiliary Bishop of New York, at 10:00 am on Tuesday, July 1, 2025.

Condolences may be sent to: Sister Eileen Quinn, Aisling Retreat House, 4800 Hoffmanville Road, Manchester, MD 21102