Cornelius Patrick Quinn, of Littleton, CO, who passed away unexpectedly on February 28, 2017 was distinguished and eminent in a wide range of endeavors: scholar, electrical engineer, law review member, patent counsel for Johns Manville, visiting lecturer at the University of Notre Dame, consultant to a host of companies and an Air Force First Lieutenant that often flew, what could have become, one way missions during the cold war to Russia. But most probably he was esteemed as a unique human being, who was always cheerful, full of life, always with a smile and a good word for others; he left a trail of happy people that he touched and interacted with throughout his full active and fruitful life. Cornelius Patrick Quinn was born on May 25, 1933 in New Jersey. He was orphaned shortly after birth. His mother had died in childbirth and he had been left by his destitute father whom had returned to Ireland. As a teenager he found work in the Irish construction gangs of New Jersey. He applied for and gained acceptance into the prestigious St. Benedict’s Academy in Newark New Jersey; and in later years, was active in the St. Benedict’s alumni , After St. Benedict’s and a brief stint at Newark College of Engineering in Newark, New Jersey he competed for and was accepted at the Citadel military college in Charleston, South Carolina. . After graduating from the Citadel, Cornelius Patrick Quinn, entered the United States Air Force and served as a navigator in KC-97 tanker planes. Upon fulfilling his military obligation he returned to academia to pursue a law degree.. He applied and was accepted at the Georgetown University law school. Here too, he again achieved academic excellence. At the same time and with a growing family, he worked in the Patent office in Washington DC. In his professional career, Cornelius Patrick Quinn was employed as a patent attorney at a number of prestigious law firms and patent counsel for Bendix Corporation and Johns Manville during which he negotiated and resolved a wide range of complex issues around the globe. He was very active and his profession and related legal associations. He rarely lost a battle, but true to his character, he left his adversaries smiling. Upon retirement from Johns Manville Corporation he opened up the law firm of Quinn and Quinn with his son Bill in the Denver area. Retirement for Cornelius Patrick Quinn did not mean retirement in the usual sense of word. He was as active as ever and was committed to the community, his family, his church, and his many friends, old and new; in short, he continued to bring his joy for life and then infectious smile and personality to those around him every day. Cornelius Patrick Quinn was loved by his wife Dorothy Quinn and his son John Quinn, who have predeceased him, and his son Bill Quinn and his long time companion Kathi Breen who survive him. He is missed. Visitation 5:00-7:00 p.m. Thursday with Recitation of Rosary at 7:00 p.m. at Drinkwine Family Chapel. Funeral Mass 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Mary Catholic Church with burial to follow at Ft. Logan National Cemetery. Send a professionally prepared, fresh, organic meal to the Family. Send a Meal!
Posted in: obituarydata.com
Posted on: 2017-03-14
Link to original obituary: