John Edward Quinn

1933 - 2023

Long Time Chairman of the Dingman Township Board of Supervisors

You may not have known John Edward Quinn but he made everyone’s life a little better. He wasn't sophisticated but he could assess the worth of something long before anyone said a word. He was never late for anything in his life, but he granted leeway enough for those that weren't as punctual. No one, not a single soul, would want for comfort while he had a say in the matter and that endeared him to all. You could depend on him. You still can. All of these qualities have been passed on to all the people that surrounded him, so his moral insight and strength of character will live on for a very long time.

John was born July 14, 1933 to Merritt A. Quinn and Centa Bunk. They lived on the now 7th generation Quinn Farm started around the late 1700’s. There he learned the morals and values that molded him into the man he became. Hard work, sacrifice, humility and being honest to oneself lead him to the beautiful life of 89 years.

John worked on the farm with his father Merritt, brother Merritt, uncle Albert, cousin Stewart and brother Jim. Chores were milking cows starting at 4:30 am and later again in the afternoon, haying and cleaning the stalls. He also helped deliver milk to Milford with his father. Sometimes depending on circumstances, John around 10 years old, would have to drive and deliver milk on his own. Stories were told how the state troopers would pull him over and ask if he needed help. It was in these early days where John developed his strong sense of responsibility and work ethic by performing his chores on the farm before attending the elementary school on Fisher Lane

After graduating from Milford High School with his brother Jim in 1950, they both attended Penn State College, which is now Penn State University. He studied animal husbandry and agriculture for one semester and returned home to the farm. His love for Penn State never ceased and he was a devoted football fan. John and wife Gudrun, had season football tickets and their weekend trips to Happy Valley were a treasured pastime until Gudrun’s passing. They would attend as many Penn State functions as possible and belonged to the Penn State Alumni Association.

John worked odd jobs in Milford and on the farm while his brother Jim served in the Army during the Korean War. After Jim’s return in 1955, it was decided John would join his brother Merritt who was already working at Reaction Motors to help support buying the materials needed to build a new barn (around the year 1959). The barn would hold 40 Holstein milk producing cows. In the 1970’s the government bought all the property including the local farms along the Delaware River for the new Tock’s Island Dam project. This resulted in having to sell their cows as it wasn’t cost effective for a milk tanker to pick up the Quinn Dairy Farm milk.

While working on the Quinn Dairy Farm, John met the love of his life. The Story goes that Gudrun (Goody) Grampp told her girlfriend that she had never seen a cow. Her girlfriend brought her to the Quinn Farm where she met John. And as one might say, the rest is history. They were married on April 10, 1971. They had one child, William Quinn whom they later adopted out of foster care, who pre-deceased both John and Gudrun.

John then worked for Dingman Township in Road Maintenance. He then eventually was elected as Dingman Township Supervisor. During his 34 years of proud service he helped improve the roads, always striving to be fair and professional to all residents of Dingman Township until his retirement in 1999.

John continued to passionately hunt with family and local friends on the farm which was his greatest enjoyment. Cat fishing at night was also a favorite pastime on the Quinn Pond. John’s bowling seemed to be a family affair as all the Quinn’s could be seen at the local bowling alleys playing in the leagues. John and Gudrun would help local organizations by playing in fundraising golf tournaments. They were avid followers of the DV Wrestling program where they helped in fundraisers and mentoring young kids. As one of those kids can attest, John gave hope and showed love to them. He would also take kids on summer vacation whose families might not have had the finances to do so.

John’s love of doing what’s right, also extended to the Boy Scouts. After hearing of a Boy Scout troop from Pennsylvania who was prohibited from their decades long summer camping area due to the newly formed Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, John invited them to do their summer camping on the Quinn farm where they built a pavilion and continue camping to this day.

After retirement, John’s greatest joy and contentment was spending time at home on the Quinn family property with Gudrun and their two cats, Rex and Cody. John and Gudrun’s years together are marked by daily walks in Milford, summer family picnics next to the pond each year, winters in Ft Myers, Florida, cross country travel, and trips abroad to Germany with their great friends Tom and Pat Muzechuk whom they loved.

He was predeceased by his wife Gudrun, son William, brother Merritt, and Sister Kay Klug.

John is remembered by his loving sister Centa of Milford. His brother Jim and sister-in-law Joyce Quinn of Milford; their children Jim and Linda Quinn of Milford, Allen and April Quinn of Milford, and Diane Hissam and husband Ben of West Chester, Ohio. His sister Kay’s children Kathy of Denville, NJ and Janette of Delaware. His brother Merritt’s children Marlene of Milford and Alice of Tennessee. His nephew Mark Grampp of Hammonton, NJ. He is also a loving Uncle to many great nieces and nephews. John also leaves behind Craig Cox and wife Sharon of Milford whom he considered as a son and Tom Muzechuk of New Philadelphia, Ohio whom he considered as a brother.

There will be a small private family ceremony for both John and Gudrun Quinn on the Quinn farm at a future date. In lieu of flowers or a donation, it is requested you pay John’s kindness forward. The smallest act of kindness can make the biggest difference.

Arrangements were made by Stroyan Funeral Home, 405 W. Harford Street, Milford, PA 18337 (www.stroyanfuneralhome.com).