John E. Quinn

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John E. Quinn of Warwick, Rhode Island died on August 20, 2014 surrounded by his loving family and the wonderful Kent Hospital staff after a month long illness. He was the beloved husband of Ann C. (Holoman) Quinn for 53 years.

He was born December 2, 1930 in Providence, Rhode Island. He was a son of the late Henry and Ruth (Kiernan) Quinn, and stepson of the late Louise (Dascoli) Quinn. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in April 1949. A combat veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars, John served in Korea in 1951 with H-3-5th Marines, 1st Marine Division. Wounded in action on December 15, 1951 while on a combat patrol by an enemy burp gun and hospitalized for 12 months. He served in Vietnam in 1966-1967 with C Co. 3rd Recon Bn and with G-2-26th Marines, 3rd Marine Div. Combat awards include the Purple Heart, Combat action ribbon, 2 Presidential Unit Citations, Korean Service Medal with 3 bronze stars, United Nations Medal, Navy Occupation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 3 bronze stars and the Vietnam Campaign Medal. In between the Korean and Vietnam Wars, John served in a variety of assignments. Among these were duties as a drill instructor at Parris Island, SC in 1953-1954. Brig Warden at NAS Port Lyautey, Morocco in 1956-1957. Marine recruiter in New York City from 1960-1963 and instructor at recruiters school in Parris Island, SC. Commissioned a 2nd Lt. in May 1966 prior to assignment in Vietnam. Retired from active service in Dec 1968 at Camp Lejeune, NC as a 1st Lt (02).

John received a Bachelor of Science in business administration in 1976 and a MBA in 1979 both from Providence College. After leaving the Marines, John settled into civilian life by working for the Providence Post Office from October 1967 until June 1974 as a postal clerk. In late 1974 John went to work for the Providence Veterans Administration as a benefit counselor helping veterans with educational inquiries and progressively moving up the VA ranks to assist with veteran's entitlements to benefits, rights and privileges and acting as an advocate for claimants for numerous veterans before the VA hearing board. John retired from the VA in Dec 1986. In January 1987 until December 1990, John established a veteran's service office on behalf of the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) at the Providence Veterans Administration. During these 3.5 years at the MOPH John developed 400 claims and power of attorneys for veterans and their dependants in total he acquired over $3.6 million in benefits for these claimants. During this period John successfully lobbied the RI Legislature to obtain the special Purple Heart License Plate, his Purple Heart medal was used by RIDMV as a template for the Purple Heart medal picture on the license plate. In 1988 he was also appointed to the RI Veterans advisory Council by Governor DiPrete. In September 1990, John became the Veterans of Foreign Wars benefits counselor continuing his tradition of helping his fellow veterans. John worked tirelessly for the RI Veterans Home and the Veterans Cemetery in Exeter and assisting to establish the Korean monument and burial guidelines. John fully retired in November 1996. John is a life member of the MOPH and the DAV and maintained membership in the VFW, FRA, Marine Corps League, and the Knights of Columbus. John was a Eucharistic minister at Saint Gregory the Great Church in Warwick.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Michael S. Quinn and his wife, Mary; Nancy E. Tocco and her husband, Salvatore; grandchildren, Stephen and Kathryn Quinn; Taylor and Jack Tocco. He was the brother of the late Robert Quinn, and stepbrother of Susan O'Connor and Patricia O' Brien.

His funeral will be held Tuesday, August 26, 2014 at 8:45 a.m. from The Thomas & Walter Quinn Funeral Home 2435 Warwick Ave, with a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Gregory the Great Church, Cowesett Road at 10 a.m. Burial with military honors will be at the Rhode Island Veterans Cemetery, Exeter. Visiting hours Monday 4-8 p.m.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions to the RI Veterans Home Fund, 480 Metacom Avenue, Bristol, RI 02809. Full obituary and condolences, visit TheQuinnFuneralHome.com