Obituary of Bernard J. Quinn, ESQ.

Bernard (Ben) Quinn peacefully passed away on November 29, 2024. He was born March 9,1931 in Gloucester Massachusetts.  He moved to Madison NJ when he was 10 where his mother Marie raised her 4 children Frank, Ben, Joe and Marie (Garrity).  It is at St. Vincent’s School that Ben met lifelong friends Leo and Bob Garrity and Paul McElgunn. To this day, their families remain close and still think they are cousins and for Leo Garrity who married Marie Quinn they are cousins!

Ben was a “lifer,” attending Seton Hall Prep, Seton Hall University and Seton Hall Law School where he graduated in 1956. Ben paid for all his schooling by working many jobs, especially digging graves at St. Vincent’s Cemetery, and working at Pabst Brewery.

After graduating from law school, Ben worked for John Applegate and later became the managing partner of Applegate Quinn & Magee in Madison.  He had many clients who became dear friends, especially Al Cocino, Jerry Mazzochi and Jimmy Prisco. Ben could not walk in Madison without saying hello to dozens of people.  In 1997 his nephew Colin Quinn joined the firm and it is still thriving today.

Ben married the love of his life, Kathryn Carpenter in 1954.  They were married for 68 years before Kathryn passed on New Years Eve in 2022 and Ben’s family feels blessed that they finally reunited.

Kathryn and Ben raised 5 children in Florham Park and lived there for over 60 years.  Ben and Kathryn loved their family but had many friends and relatives, especially the Sauls, Pieros, Freemans, and Darlaks (and of course the McElgunns and Garritys) with whom they ‘wintered” in West Palm Beach Florida for many years playing golf and having cocktail parties where Ben made all the drinks.

Ben is predeceased by his wife, Kathryn, mother Marie (nee Cahill) brothers Frank and Joe and his sister Marie Garrity.  He is also predeceased by sisters-in-law Mary Quinn, Mary Saul, and Ruth Carpenter as well as brothers-in-law John Carpenter, George Lawler, Pep Saul, Leo Garrity and his granddaughter Mary Kathryn Quinn.

Ben is survived by his children,  Thomas Quinn (wife Mary), Robert Quinn (wife Paula), Kathleen Karovic (husband Kenneth), Paul Quinn (wife Lauren) and Stephen Quinn (wife Jann). He is the cherished grandfather of 15 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.  He is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Patricia Lawler, and Anita Quinn (Rakers) and brother-in-law and sister -in-law Michael and Carolyn Carpenter. 

Friends and Family are welcome to celebrate this wonderful man’s life.  The viewing will be on Tuesday, December 3 at Burroughs Kohr, Dangler, Funeral home in Madison from 4 pm to 7 pm.  A Celebration of Life Mass will be held on December 4, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Family Church, 1 Lloyd Ave., Florham Park N.J. It can be viewed through Holy Family’s website: www.holyfamilyfp.org. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Seton Hall Preparatory School. You can do this by following this link: Make a Gift | Seton Hall Prep.