Eugene Quinn

Eugene (Gene) Quinn

April 22, 1929 - October 8, 2024

Tacoma, Washington - Gene Quinn passed away on October 8, 2024, at the age of 95. He was surrounded by his loving family.

Gene was born in Butte, Montana, on April 22, 1929, to Thomas and Nora Quinn. He attended Boys' Central High School in Butte, graduating in 1947. He graduated from Gonzaga University in 1953, majoring in accounting with a minor in philosophy.

Gene served in the United States Army from 1953 to 1955. He was assigned to the Army Finance Center in Germany, where they were responsible for distributing payroll to the troops. He and his friends spent their leave exploring Europe. After his discharge from the army, he returned to Butte and married Danette Rita Stefani on November 20, 1955.

Gene and Danette then moved to Spokane. While working as an accountant, Gene returned to Gonzaga on the GI Bill to pursue his law degree. During that time, they also started their family, which eventually grew to four children. Gene graduated from law school in 1962 and accepted a position as an Assistant Attorney General with the state of Washington.

In 1965, Gene joined the law firm of Eisenhower Carlson and the family moved to Tacoma, where Gene practiced law with distinction for 26 years. His practice focused primarily on estate planning and business law. He became a partner in 1968, later becoming managing partner, and serving in that capacity until shortly before he retired in 1991. Gene also served on the boards of several nonprofits focusing on education and affordable housing.

Raising their young family in Tacoma, Gene and Danette enjoyed picnics, family vacations, playing bridge, neighborhood parties, and good books. Gene loved to play golf and was a long standing member of Fircrest Golf Club. His regular foursome played together for years. He was proud of being an Irishman from Butte and was an enthusiastic fan of Gonzaga basketball.

Gene's quiet Catholic faith was central to his life. He was a devoted parishioner of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church for 60 years, where he generously gave of his time to help the parish grow.

Gene and Danette enjoyed traveling, including trips with friends and family. Among their favorites were golfing in Ireland, exploring Italy, Spain, and Portugal, and cruises in Alaska and the Panama Canal.

After Danette passed in 2003, Gene was the rock of the family, showing us every day how to live with compassion, grace, and integrity. He loved to walk, rain or shine, and was a regular fixture on the walking path at Chambers Bay well into his 90s. People there would often stop and tell him he was their inspiration.

What Gene most treasured throughout his life was spending time with his family, which grew to include seven grandchildren. He will be remembered for his strength of character, warm smile, and the twinkle in his eye that never dimmed.

Gene is survived by his four children, Mary Kay Hayes (Mike), Jean Ann Quinn (Pat Leavy), Michelle Flagg (Doug), and Patrick Quinn (Lisa); grandchildren Lucas, Ryan (Melissa), Erin (Richard), Shannon, Carson, Kaeden and Avery; brother Emmett Quinn; sisters-in-law Lou Ann Quinn, Doreen Strizic, and Martha Quinn; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Danette, his parents Thomas and Nora Quinn, and his brothers Tom, Joe, Jim, and Bill Quinn.

He was our guiding light and will be missed beyond measure. He would remind us all to be kind and generous and to trust in God.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday, October 17, 11:00 a.m., St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church. Vigil service will be Wednesday, October 16, 6:00 p.m., at Gaffney Funeral Home. Vaulted interment at Calvary Cemetery.

Family suggests memorials may be made to the Danette Quinn Endowed Scholarship at St. Mary College, Leavenworth, Kansas, or Mount Saint Vincent, Denver, Colorado.  Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home.