About Lt. Quinn
It is worth the time and effort of every great society to reflect upon the great men and women who made it so. Lt. Michael P. Quinn is one of those great men.
This is his story.
In a brief twenty three years Michael Patrick Quinn had a superlative time. Commencing with his early years of growing up in the Bunker Hill project with a band of friends, he enjoyed sports, the good times, and the girls. From hockey on the Barry Playground (Oilies), basketball at the Lexington St. Gym (the Lexi), and swimming at the Boys Club, Michael relished these disciplines with gusto. What can be better than a day playing his favorite games with boyhood pals' Steve Driscoll, John Tibbetts, Michael Texeria, and Brian Smith- a cast of players directly from a Hollywood script? Lessons, techniques, and team spirit learned from these halcyon days would bode well for Michael as he advanced to the next level.
His last domicile at 73 O'Reilly Way was a gem, with the kindness of Mrs. Carroll on the 3rd floor, Mrs. Anthony on the 2nd floor, where Michael lived, and Margaret Byrne on the 1st floor. This joyous extended family would support each other with pride. A most glistering lesson learned at his residence was the weekly maintenance of the building, which was executed with precision. The attention to detail, which was performed by the families, rendered a spotless environment. In a short period of time Michael would cherish this lesson as he entered the United States Marine Corps.
With a healthy and sound setting, Michael was able to distinguish himself at St. Francis De Sales Grammar School at the top of the hill. With fellow classmate Edward Doherty, many fun-filled days were had traveling Bunker Hill Street until Michael entered Boston Latin School in 1960. A distinguished scholar and athlete at Latin, Michael was the recipient of the Patrick Thomas Campbell award for excellence in scholarship in 1964, and the Dr. J.H. Brunett award by the Gridiron Club in 1963 for excellence in scholarship, leadership, and football prowess. An All-City selectee in 1963-1964, Michael flourished as a Wolfpack scholar and athlete playing defense on the hockey team and guard and linebacker on the football team.
In September 1964 Michael entered the College of The Holy Cross on a four-year scholarship. Once again he met with success in both football and hockey, becoming co-captain of the first Varsity Hockey team. While at Holy Cross, Michael enrolled in ROTC, receiving his United States Marine Corps commission upon graduation, coupled with a Bachelor of Arts degree on May 29, 1968.
A temporary hiatus was next on Michael's agenda with his beloved buddies on Cape Cod. What a summer of frolic and, at the time, just another fun-filled adventure. Yet the summer of 1968 would be the last for Michael and the gang. It is hard to fathom he would be gone in 14 months- our forever friend. Indeed Michael and the gang followed Horace's quote during this fleeting period of time, "Mingle a little folly with your wisdom, a little nonsense now and then in pleasant." Those wonderful days in Falmouth and surrounding communities gave way to the south given how rapid deployment was in the 1960's.
Advancing to Quantico, Virginia, Mike distinguished himself once again, graduating first in his class on November 13, 1968. Returning to Charlestown, Michael was feted with a number of farewell parties. I will always remember this handsome young man in his Marine uniform as he proudly walked up Bunker Hill Street, receiving praise for serving his country, and the Townie salute, thanks for serving.
In all his correspondence from Vietnam, Michael always would end with, "give my best to the crowd at Kelly's." Another example of the Townie legacy of enlisting, volunteering, and serving their country with ultimate devotion. Michael was proud to have continued this tradition with the love of his mother, Mary; father, Leo; sister, Ginger; and brother, Bobby. Under orders from Commandant L.F. Chapman Jr., Michael was deployed to Vietnam in December of 1968. Assigned MOS/301, Michael would be in a vortex that would bring at times joy, but ultimately sorrow. Recognized for his leadership skills and initiative, he was promoted to Executive Officer in 1969. But while on a patrol 28 miles south of DeNang at 5 p.m. on August 28, 1969, Michael, platoon commander of the weapons platoon, was killed in combat while serving with Company H, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division.
On Wednesday, September 10, 1969 Michael's Solemn High Mass was said by Father Smith at St. Catherine's Church, followed by burial at Mount Hope Cemetery in Roslindale. From the Bunker Hill Project, to St. Francis De Sales Grammar School, to Boston Latin School, to the College of the Holy Cross, to the 1st Marine Division in Vietnam, Michael's noble courage and character will never be forgotten.
On September 8, 1969 with the financial support of Edward Johnson and Stephen Driscoll, and my perseverance, the Lt. Michael Patrick Quinn Scholarship Fund was established. Since its inception 51 scholarships have been awarded to the fine youth of Charlestown. Commencing with Robert Irgens in 1970 to the first female recipient, Ann Marie Duffy, in 1977 to the 2021 Quinn Scholar, Quinlan O'Brien, the future generation is indeed blessed with their leadership.
We anguish at the loss of Michael, and the joys he missed with the weddings of Ginger and Bobby to Walter and Maura, and the birth of nephews Michael Quinn Doherty, niece Aislin Doherty, and nephews John and Leo Quinn. His mother, Mary, was rock solid after his demise, but within a year was devastated by the loss of Michael's father, Leo Quinn. Assisted by the Scholarship Committee, Stephen Driscoll, Edward Johnson, Edward Doherty, WIlliam Koelsch, Thomas Morrissey, Michael Powers, Robert Quinn, Thomas White, John Tibbetts, Christopher O'Brien, and the late James Kiely and Francis McCluskey, the Quinn family has been most proud of this educational remembrance. They strongly follow the words of Benjamin Franklin, "If a man empties his purse into his head, no one can take it away from him. An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest."
The town he loved has not forgotten Michael. On November 11, 1969, a Hero Square was dedicated at 73 O'Reilly Way, and on April 29, 1970, a purple heart was posthumously awarded at the Marine Barracks in the Navy Yard. Of extreme satisfaction to Michael's family and friends was the dedication of the Lt. Michael P. Quinn Athletic Complex on November 12, 1979. Another special honor was the awarding of a bronze star posthumously on April 1, 2000. Additionally, on April 12, 1986, the Swan Boat landing plaque in the Public Garden was dedicated. And inclusion on the Holy Cross Veterans honor roll in St. Joseph's Chapel was dedicated on October 3, 1987.
Michael also became a member of the Boston Latin School Hall of Fame on May 6, 1988. With financial support from the committee members, the E10 chair in the Marine Corps Research Center at Quantico, Virginia was purchased in Michael's name. A very special person, who accomplished so much in a brief life, Michael deserves the highest kudos.
Our journey without you, Michael, over the past 35 years has been difficult, but we always reflect on the words of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, the Soldier Saint:
"Teach us, good Lord, to serve thee as thou deservest.
To give and not count the cost,
To fight and not heed the wounds,
To toil and not to seek rest,
To labor and not ask for any reward.
Save that of knowing that we do thy will."
Very truly yours,
Ronan J. FitzPatrick
