Obituaries (September 19)

Florence E. Quinn

Died September 18, 1932, Preston, NY

Mrs. Florence E. Quinn, 69, widow of Frank J. Quinn, who served Chenango county as superintendent of the poor and county welfare commissioner for many years, died at her home in Preston Sunday night Sept. 18th.  With her husband she had been engaged in administering to the needs of the poor for 20 years.  After the death of Mr. Quinn in May, 1931, Mrs. Quinn was appointed to succeed him as welfare officer of the county.

Michael J. Quinn

Died December 3, 1939, Middletown, NY

Michael J. Quinn, well known in this city and a retired O. & W. engineer, passed away at his home in Middletown [Orange Co., NY] Sunday morning.  News of his death was a shock to many Norwich friends and relatives.  Mr. Quinn was born in Norwich about 75 years ago and was a  resident here for some time.  He is survived by his wife, a sister of Michael Finigan of this city; a daughter, Mrs. Lulu Quinn Weyant, and a son, Charles Quinn of Middletown.  He also leaves a sister, Mrs. May Dolan of this city, two nephews, Dr. M.A Quinn and Alfred Quinn, and a niece, Mrs. Jane Lyons of Norwich.  Funeral services are to be held in Middletown Tuesday morning at 9:30 and the body will be brought to Norwich for burial in St. Paul's cemetery at 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon.  Michael Finigan, Mrs. Jane Lyons and son John and Mrs. Mary Hawley left Norwich Monday afternoon for Middletown to attend the funeral services tomorrow.

Edward F. Quinn

Died February 28, 1915, Norwich, NY

After an illness of several weeks following an operation for appendicitis and two subsequent operations, Edward F. Quinn died at an early hour Friday morning at the Norwich hospital.  Notwithstanding the fact that his serious condition was known for several days, his many friends were deeply shocked when it was learned that the end had come.  Mr. Quinn was born in Dublin, Ireland, fifty-six years ago.  When he was sixteen years of age, he came to this country, locating at Skaneateles, New York, where he learned and was engaged in the florist business until he came to Norwich, and erected his first green houses in 1883.  In 1901, he bought the Manning homestead, 99 East Main street together with some adjoining property, where he built six large green houses and established a lucrative business which developed rapidly under his skillful management.  On May 25th, 1887, he was married to Miss Jennie Sullivan, and two daughters, Mrs. George J. Devine and Miss Regina M. Quinn were born to them.  Besides his widow and daughter, he is survived by two brothers, James, of Kildare, Ireland, and John of Skaneateles, N.Y.  There are few men in Norwich or anywhere who manifested greater devotion to his family, to his business to his church and to the civic prosperity of the community in which he lived than Edward F. Quinn.  He was a devout and consistent member of St. Paul's church, and by his service ad generous donation contributed largely towards the erection of the present church building.  He was the founder of St. Paul's Cemetery Association, and was at the time of his death its superintendent.  He built the building now in the cemetery; he erected the gates at its entrance, and through his efforts more than of any other man in Norwich, this cemetery was changed from a comparative wilderness to one of the beauty spots in the Chenango valley.  He was a member of the Holy Name Society of St. Paul's church, of Norwich council, Knight's of Columbus No. 211 and of division no. 1 of the Ancient Order of Hibernians.  he was generous and charitable without display, and every moment of his useful life was devoted to the interests of some worthy achievement.  Seldom has the death of any one brought keener sorrow to so many hearts in Norwich.  He never said an unkind word or did an injury to his fellowmen.  His life of usefulness and devotion will long be cherished as one of the most pleasant memories of those who have lived and labored and died in Norwich.  His funeral will be held from his late residence, no. 90 East Main street, Monday morning at nine o'clock whence it will proceed to St. Paul's church where a solemn high mass of Requiem will be sung by Rev. Edward R. Prendergast, assisted by Rev. Father Conway of Skaneateles and Rev. Henry P. Hyland of Oriskany Falls.  Interment will be made in St. Paul's Cemetery.

Rev. Harold M. Quincy

Chenango Telegraph, December 11, 1942

News of the death of Rev. Harold M. Quincy, pastor of the First Baptist church, plunged members of his parish and residents of this city in general into deep sorrow Wednesday.  Rev Quincy was admitted to the Chenango Memorial Hospital just a week ago for an emergency appendectomy.  His condition remained serious and was reported as critical over the weekend. A definite change for the better was learned with joy Tuesday, and then came a relapse Tuesday night.  Rev Quincy died at 7:58 Wednesday morning.  Members of his family were present when the end came.  Funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon at 2:30 in the First Baptist church where in a single year, Rev. Quincy had endeared himself to members of his parish and the community.  Rev. F.L. Anderson of the Oxford church will officiate at the services.  Also participating will be Rev. Dr. Roy Williamson of Syracuse, executive secretary of the New York State Baptist Convention and Rev. Dr. Paul Swarthout, pastor of the First Baptist church at Hamilton.  Dr. Swarthout will deliver the message of the service, a duty he performed at the funeral service of Rev. Wil. J. Quincy, father of the Norwich pastor.  The body will rest at the family home in Hayes street.  Burial will be made in the family plot in the Morris cemetery.  Bearers will include associates from this city and West Winfield, former parish of the Quincy family.

Rev. Quincy came to the Norwich church Sept. 1, 1941, succeeding the late Rev. James K. Romeyn.  In accepting the call to the Baptist church, Rev. Quincy terminated a pastorate of 14 years at West Winfield.  A son of the late Rev. and Mrs. William J. Quincy, he was born September 30, 1893 at Troy.  At the age of 14 years he moved to the new family home in Schenectady.  In that city he graduated from Nott Terrance high and from Colgate university in 1918.  During his senior year, Rev. Quincy left Colgate to enter the service of his country in World War I, serving for 14 months before returning to college.  At the time of his passing Rev. Quincy was serving as chaplain of the Lieut. Warren E. Eaton DSC Post 189 of the American legion of this city.  Immediately upon becoming residents of this city, Rev. Quincy and his family entered fully into community life.  His pleasing personality made him a host of friends who learned that his friendship was sincere and genuine.  Word of his passing Wednesday brought expressions of sorrow from all ranks.  After graduating from Colgate, Rev. Quincy was employed for two years in the turbine department of the General Electric Company.  Then he entered Colgate Theological seminary.  Upon receiving his divinity degree, he became pastor of the Baptist church of Genoa, N.Y.  He later became pastor of the Millis Memorial church, Troy, where he remained until the beginning of his pastorate in West Winfield in 1927.  Mr. Quincy was a member of Norwich Rotary, also of Delta Upsilon chapter of Sigma Nu Fraternity of Colgate university.  He served as chaplain of Winfield lodge 581, F&AM, for 14 years and was a member of the Mohawk Valley Consistory, Scottish Rite Bodies, and of Ziyara Temple Order of the Mystic Shrine.  Dec. 5, 1917 he was united in marriage with Maude Ross of  New Hartford, who survives with a daughter, Miss Virginia Quincy, member of the New Woodstock high school faculty and William Ross Quincy, first year student in Alfred university.  Members of the parish had arranged a reception for last Saturday night honoring the silver wedding anniversary of Rev. and Mrs. Quincy and his illness then forced cancellation of plans.

Death Notices

Chenango American, January 9, 1862

In this village [Greene, Chenango Co., NY], on the 27th ult., Mr. Bela Cowles, aged 89 years.

In Preston [Chenango Co., NY], on the 25th ult., Mr. Joseph F. Rogers, aged 85 years.

In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], on the 20th ult., after a lingering illness, Miss Ann Pierce, aged 18 years.

In East Pharsalia [Chenango Co., NY], on the 28th ult. Florence L. [Grant], daughter of J. Jerome and Abigail Grant, aged 4 years, 11 months and 22 days.

In this town [Greene, Chenango co., NY], on the 18th ult. Frankie [Rice], only child of William and Almira Rice, aged 4 years and 13 days.

Toll the bell gently--the dear ones sleep,

O'er the pale brow you may silently weep;

Chant a sweet requiem, softly and low;

Sooth the fond hearts that are beating with woe.

Calm the loved parents and cheer their lone hearts;

Oh! 'tis so bitter from their loved one to part;

Earth seems so dark when their dear one has fled,

He in the coffin, now sleeps with the dead.

Toll the bell gently--lay him to rest,

Plant some bright flowers above his cold breast.

Softly around him the breezes will sigh.

yet he'll not hear them, his spirit's on high.