Obituary of John Michael Quinn

It is with great sadness that the family of Dr. John Michael Quinn, of Kennebecasis Park, Rothesay, NB, announce his passing on Saturday, January 3, 2015, after a courageous five year battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born the son of the late Frederick and Constance (Connie) Quinn. He is survived by his loving wife, Betty (Frenette), daughter Danielle of Wolfville, NS, and son Michael, both of whom he was very proud. He is also survived by siblings Elizabeth (Ralph) Poley, Catherine (late Kevin) O’Leary, Evelyn (Joseph) Bannister, Dr. Joan (Susan Rose) Quinn, Jim (Lynn) Quinn, and Dr. Eileen (Jake van der Laan) Quinn, mother-in-law Olive (late Emery) Frenette, sister-in-law Anne (Harry) Chamberlain, and numerous nieces and nephews. John grew up on Broad Street in the South End of Saint John, an area he held dear to his heart throughout his life. He graduated from St. Malachy’s High School in 1967, St. Francis Xavier University in 1971, and earned his medical degree from Dalhousie University in 1975. Next to his family, John’s passion in life was his medical profession, where he was extremely dedicated in caring for thousands of patients. He started his family practice in Hampton in 1976 and was a true country doctor until closing his practice in 2010 due to illness. Shortly after, he opened an Occupational Medical office in Saint John, where he continued his work with various companies throughout Canada, including J. D. Irving Ltd., Irving Oil Ltd., Saint John Fire Department, Kennebecasis Valley Fire Department, Xerox Canada, Atlantic Offshore Medical Services, and Cooke Aquaculture, and fulfilled this role until only a few weeks ago. He was a Marine and Civil Aviation Medical Examiner, a Certified Dive Medical Physician, Designated Physician for Health Canada, a Certified Workplace Drug and Alcohol Specialist, and a member of the Medical Review Officer Certification Council of Canada. He was also a member of the Canadian Medical Association, past chair of the General Practice Section of the New Brunswick Medical Society, a member of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, and the Occupational and Environmental Medical Association of Canada, of which he was president of from 2006 to 2008, and earned the Meritorious Service Award. He was a honourary member of the medical staff at the Lahey Clinic in Boston, Massachusetts. John was a widely respected physician and mentor in the medical profession. He was the founding president of the Hampton Rotary Club, and past president of Kings West Progressive Conservative Association, past chairman of the Dr. V. A. Snow Nursing Home, and was awarded the Rotary International Paul Harris Fellowship Award. He was also a member of the Saint John Board of Trade. Of all of the awards and recognition John received during his long career, the one which he is most proud of is having recently received the designation of Honourary Fire Chief for the City of Saint John by the Saint John Fire Department. It is only the second time this honour has been bestowed in 226 years by the Saint John Fire Department. John was an avid reader, boating enthusiast and always enjoyed a good card game and conversation. He had a wide circle of friends from all walks of life from across Canada and the United States. Visitation will be held from Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John (634-7424), on Tuesday, January 6 from 2 to 4 pm and 7 to 9 pm and Wednesday, January 7 from 2 to 4 pm and 7 to 9 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Rothesay on Thursday, January 8, 2015, at 12:00 Noon. Interment will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Donations made to Canadian Cancer Society or a charity of the donor’s choice would be appreciated by the family.