Thomas Patrick Quinn Sr.'s Obituary
Thomas Patrick “Pat” Quinn, Sr., 89 of Fort Myers passed away Thursday March 5, 2026 with his family by his side.
Born in Chicago on January 3, 1937, Pat was the middle child of Robert and Hazel Quinn. He was a proud 1960 graduate of the University of Notre Dame, having earned his degree in architectural engineering before embarking on a distinguished 20-year career with the U.S. Navy Civil Engineer Corp/Construction Battalion ‘Seabees’.
His service spanned from the Philippines, Spain, Italy, and Greece to the tropical waters of Puerto Rico, where he mastered both the winds as a sailor and the skies as a private pilot. His career saw the extremes of the Earth—from the frozen expanse of Antarctica to a tour of duty in the Vietnam War. Along the way, he balanced his dedication to country with a commitment to education, earning a master’s degree in financial management alongside numerous commendations including: Antarctica Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Fleet Marine Force Combat Operations Insignia, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy Commendation with Gold Star and Combat V, Navy Achievement Medal, Navy Unit Commendation.
After transitioning to the private sector in 1980, Pat spent two decades shaping the Fort Myers landscape as a commercial General Contractor. While he took great pride in his professional work, his heart truly belonged to his community and his myriad of passions. A lifelong devotee of the game, Pat famously beat the odds by sinking five holes-in-one—an extraordinary feat that most golfers only dream of achieving once.
Pat was active in the local community and a familiar face at the VFW and the Moose Lodge, where he earned the prestigious Fellowship Degree of Honor. His spirit of service extended even to the local waterways, where he volunteered as a Sundowner’s spotter, scanning the horizon to assist stranded boaters. He was a founding member of the Notre Dame Club of Southwest Florida and a past member of the Resurrection Men’s Club.
Travel was a defining thread in Pat’s 53-year marriage to his wife, Ginny. Together, they shared unforgettable journeys to Ireland with the United Irish of Southwest Florida, though their most cherished adventure was a "Great Road Trip" that spanned the entire United States. Pat combined his love for travel with his passion for golf, making several memorable trips to Augusta to attend The Masters.
A true Renaissance man, Pat was also a prolific artist. His oil paintings filled his home with color and life, while those lucky enough to be in his inner circle often found themselves the subjects of his quick-witted cartoons—one of which still holds a place of honor on the wall at Pincher’s in downtown Fort Myers.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Virginia “Ginny”; his parents; and his sister, Kathleen Adams. He is survived by his brother, Robert E. (Judy) Quinn; his children, Tom Quinn, Katie (Mark) Hoover, and Kristi Quinn; and five grandchildren: Ryan Hoover, Ashlie (Nicky) Kay, Kevin Hoover, Dakota Quinn, and Hunter Quinn.
Pat lived a truly remarkable and full life. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to one of the areas that impacted his life: Seabees, VFW, Moose International.
Funeral mass will be held on Friday, April 24th at Church of the Resurrection 11:00 am with military honors to follow. The graveside service will be on a later date and will be private.
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