Edward J. Quillin 1909-2002

QUILLIN, REDDING, RILEY, GHERTY

Posted By: SGF (email)
Date: 11/22/2002 at 20:39:32

Edward J. Quillin, 92, a La Crosse community business leader, founder of Quillin's Markets, and past owner of Center Q Shopping Center, died Monday, October 14, 2002, in St. Joseph's Community Care, La Crosse. He was born November 15, 1909, in Waukon, to Phillip and Margaret (Redding) Quillin. He graduated from Waukon High School and attended college at Northern Iowa University. He was united in marriage to Greta M. Riley on May 6, 1935, in St. Patrick's Church, Waukon. Ed began his career in-1931 as an employee of A&P Foods. He then became a sales representative and sales manager for the Sisson Wholesale Grocery Company of La Crosse. He was employed by the Midland Flour Milling Company of Kansas City, and during the war, he was supervisor of the county boards for the Federal Government Office of Price Administration. In 1945, he and his wife, Greta, founded Quillin's Markets, which is now owned by sons, Phillip and Lyle. From 1982 to 1995, Ed owned and operated the former Jackson Plaza Shopping Center, which he completely renovated into the Center Q Shopping Center. In 1971, Ed was installed into the Papal Order of the Equestrian Order of the Knights of Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem by Order of His Holiness Pope Paul VI and elevated to the rank of Knight Grand Cross of the Holy Sepulchre in 1984. Ed joined the Knights of Columbus in 1929 and served in all key positions of local Council 839. He was appointed. District Deputy of District 25, then elected to the office of State Advocate and later to the position of state deputy of Wisconsin. He served as Faithful Navigator of the Bishop Schwebach General Assembly Fourth Degree in La Crosse and was alter commissioned by the Supreme Council to become Master of all Fourth Degree assemblies in the Western Wisconsin District. He was president of the Catholic Social Services Advisory Board, a member of the board of directors of Metropolitan Dinner Club, a member of the Greater La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce, where he was honored as Man of the Year in 1989, chairman of the Chamber State Legislative Committee, a member of the WWTC Meat Advisory Board, president of the local and state Food Dealer's associations, a member of the Southside Businessmen's Association, the Elks Club, and the Moose Lodge. He served as a member of S.C.O.R.E., the State Industrial Commission Advisory Board, the Shamrock Club, Barber Shoppers and Toastmasters, La Crosse Country Club, and was a life member of the La Crosse County Retarded Citizens Association. He was president of the board of governors of St. Joseph's Nursing Home, president of the Catholic Charities board of directors, a member of the Diocesan Commission of building and finance and served on the Wisconsin "Business Cares" Committee, the National Right To Work Committee, and was involved in numerous other community activities. Ed was honored as parade marshal of the Oktoberfest Maple Leaf Parade in 1971. He was extremely dedicated to his family, friends, church, his business, and his community. He leaves behind his second wife, Geraldine (Gherty) Quillin; three sons, Phillip (Barbara), Lyle (Sandra), and Lawrence (Barbara); seven grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; seven stepchildren; 16 step-grandchildren; and one sister, Rose Mulvehill of Dubuque. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Greta; a son, James; his mother and father; two sisters; and two brothers. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10 a.m. Saturday, October 19, 2002, at Mary, Mother of the Church Parish/St. Thomas More Catholic Church, La Crosse. The Rev. Thomas Smith officiated with the Rev. Robert Cook serving as homilist. Entombment was at St. Francis of Assisi Mausoleum in the Catholic Cemetery, La Crosse. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to Franciscan Skemp Foundation, Gundersen Lutheran Foundation, Aquinas Foundation, or Coulee Council on Addiction. The Blaschke Funeral Homes, La Crosse, assisted the family with arrangements.

©Waukon Standard 2002
-source: Waukon Standard, October 22, 2002