Timothy J Quinn, OFM

1917 – 1995

Fr. Timothy Quinn, OFM, was born in Jessup, Pa., on Feb. 21, 1917. He entered St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary, Callicoon, N.Y., in 1931.

In 1937, he was received into the Province’s novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary in Paterson, N.J., and made his temporary profession of vows the following year. Fr. Tim professed solemn vows in 1941 and was ordained a priest in 1943.

Fr. Tim’s first assignment was to St. Joseph’s Seminary, where he taught Latin, coached baseball and basketball, and cared for the mission in Long Eddy, N.Y.

During the Korean War, he joined the Army as a chaplain and held the rank of captain. Because of his service under fire in Korea, Fr. Tim was awarded the Bronze Star and the Korean Service Medal. Upon his discharge, Fr. Tim was assigned to Bishop Timon-St. Jude High School in Buffalo, N.Y., where he served as principal for 10 years and guardian for three.

Fr. Tim’s final 29 years of active ministry are associated with St. Bonaventure University, Allegany, N.Y., where he taught sociology, served as dean of men and was pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish in Vandalia. He was always an easy-going, affable friar whose warm and personable manner made countless friends among students, friars, parishioners — all who came into contact with him.

The Seneca Nation of Indians was touched deeply by Fr. Tim’s warmth and genuineness. In 1979, they adopted him into their Hawk Clan and gave him the name Da-hud-the-tah, which means “He enlightens.” He worked relentlessly for the promotion of the cause of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, whose beatification he attended in Rome in 1980.

Fr. Tim died at Holy Name Friary in Ringwood, N.J., on Nov. 3, 1995. He was 78 years old, a professed friar for 57 years and a priest for 52 years.