Quinn, James F.

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Obituary

WESTERLO — James F. Quinn, a family man and successful real-estate developer, died on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012 — the 47th anniversary of his marriage to Elaine Reisert. A Westerlo resident, Mr. Quinn died at Albany Medical Center as a result of serious injuries suffered in a plane crash on Aug. 15, 2012. He was 68. “Jim had two great loves in his life — his family and flying,” his family wrote in a tribute. “His family is large and happy and they spent hours together at Monday-night family dinners with 20-plus in attendance, lovingly prepared by Elaine. He cherished the time he spent with everyone, from dinners out with the grandkids to Sunday-morning breakfasts at the Windowbox Café after church. He helped his family in every way and was the center of their lives. “With over 11,000 hours of flight logged, Jim could be found evenings and weekends flying with his wife and his wide circle of friends and flight students at Albany County Airport. Jim’s accomplishments as a pilot were exceptional. He was an Air Transportation Pilot, held a Commercial Pilot Certificate with an instrument rating, numerous land and sea single- and multiple-engine ratings, and was a Certified Flight Instructor. “Jim was a flying aficionado, spreading his love of flying and planes to a wide group of friends and admirers. His closest circle of pilots he trained affectionately referred to themselves as ‘Quinn’s Air Force.’ “Jim volunteered countless hours piloting Angel Flights, providing free air transportation for all types of charitable and medically related needs. Many of the flights were to transport injured military service men and women — a service to which he was devoted.” Born in Copiague, N.Y. on Jan. 22, 1944, Mr. Quinn was the son of the late James and Rosemary Cooper Quinn of Lindenhurst, N.Y. and later Rock Hill, S.C. He grew up in Lindenhurst, Long Island, with his brothers, Thomas and John. Mr. Quinn married Elaine Reisert in 1965 in Wantagh, N.Y. He served in the United States Army from 1960 to 1964. After completing his military service, he attended Suffolk Community College as a night student and young parent where he earned an associate’s degree in accounting in 1969. He then enrolled in Hofstra University and earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting, graduating in 1972. Mr. Quinn continued his education at Hofstra, while working and raising his family, earning his master of business administration degree in finance in 1975. In 1990, Mr. Quinn earned his juris doctorate degree at Touro College Law Center in Huntington, N.Y. He was licensed to practice law in New York, New Jersey, and the District of Columbia. Further, Mr. Quinn was a certified public accountant, real estate broker, and insurance broker. Mr. Quinn enjoyed a long and successful career in real estate development and acquisitions in a variety of executive positions including senior vice president and chief financial officer at the Galesi Group in Guilderland; president of G. Ventures Management Co. in Wayne, N.J.; and executive vice president and chief financial officer for DCG Development Co. in Clifton Park. Mr. Quinn joined The United Group of Companies, Inc. in 1996. He served for 16 years as the vice chairman and was responsible for the executive direction of all United Group development and financing projects, new acquisitions, and the development of new product lines. Mr. Quinn was an active participant in a wide variety of community service organizations including Helderberg Interfaith Community Safe Haven Inc., a women’s shelter in Altamont. Further, as an attorney, he donated many hours of pro bono service to the needy and less advantaged. He was also a communicant of St. Lucy’s/St. Bernadette’s Church.

Mr. Quinn is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Elaine Reisert Quinn, and his adored children James Quinn and his wife, Stacy, of Albany, Michelle Marcello and her husband, Anthony, of Freehold, Timothy Quinn and his wife, Sherry, of Selkirk, Kerry Quinn of South Westerlo, and Duane Quinn and his wife, Rebecca, of Berne. Called Poppy by his 10 grandchildren, he is also survived by Sarah Aloisi and her husband, Justin, Nicole Marcello, Marina Quinn, Alyssa Marcello, Tyler Mack, Connor Quinn, Brandon Quinn, Matthew Quinn, Caiden Quinn, and Madalena Quinn. He is also survived by his brother Thomas Quinn and his wife, Karen, of Rock Hill, S.C. His brother, John Quinn, who had also lived in Rock Hill, S.C., died before him. His family thanks the staff of the emergency and surgical intensive care units of Albany Medical Center for the exceptional care and compassion. Calling hours will be held on Friday, Aug. 31, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Fredendall’s Funeral Home at 199 Main Street in Altamont. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Mass of Christian Burial the following morning, Saturday, Sept. 1, at 10 a.m. at St. Lucy’s / St. Bernadette’s Church at 122 Grand Street in Altamont. Interment at Long Island National Cemetery will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Angel Flight Northeast Inc., 492 Sutton Street, North Andover, MA 01845 or at www. angelflightne.org.

Quinn dies after plane crash By Melissa Hale-Spencer James F. Quinn of Westerlo, a successful real-estate developer, was doing what he loved — piloting a plane — on Aug. 15 when something went awry. The plane’s single engine stalled soon after take-off from Albany International Airport and crashed on Van Vranken Road in Clifton Park, according to Sergeant John Phelps with the New York State Police. On Tuesday, Quinn died at Albany Medical Center of serious injuries suffered from the crash. Quinn managed to land the crippled plane without hitting any houses. State Police responded to the scene at about 7:30 a.m., and found the small yellow aircraft had crashed, said Phelps. The plane had just one passenger, Walter F. Uccellini, Quinn’s business partner. The pair were on a business trip. Uccellini, said Phelps, was killed upon impact. Quinn, with a head injury, was taken to Albany Medical Center. Uccellini had been the chairman and president of The United Group of Companies, Inc. Quinn, who joined The United Group of Companies in 1996, served for 16 years as vice president and was responsible for the executive direction of its development and financing projects, new acquisitions, and new product lines. Uccellini was 67; Quinn was 68. “Jim had two great loves in his life — his family and flying,” his family wrote in an obituary this week. (The full obituary is on page 19.) “Jim was a flying aficionado, spreading his love of flying and planes to a wide group of friends and admirers,” his family wrote. “His closest circle of pilots he trained affectionately referred to themselves as ‘Quinn’s Air Force.’” His family also wrote about how he piloted “Angel Flights,” providing free transportation for charitable causes and medical needs. A veteran himself, Quinn was devoted to transporting injured service men and women.

Altamont Enterprise - August 30, 2012

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