Robert John Quinn

Robert (Bob) J. Quinn (86) of Lake Zurich, Illinois, passed away peacefully at home on July 27, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.

Bob was born on August 13, 1939, in Queens, New York, to Andrew and Anne Quinn. He graduated from Xavier High School in New York City and St. Peter’s University in Jersey City, New Jersey. Bob met the love of his life, Arlene, while working in New York as an elevator operator. He had “rules” about dating, but quickly broke them by asking Arlene out on an unprecedented third date, and from then on, he had no more use for those rules. Bob and Arlene were married in Brooklyn on November 25, 1961, beginning their life together at Fort Dix in New Jersey.

Bob served as an officer in the Army for two years, training troops stateside, before beginning a long career in chemical sales for Union Carbide, then UOP. Together, Bob and Arlene raised two boys as they moved about the east coast from New Jersey to upstate New York to North Carolina, finally settling in Fairfield, Connecticut.

Bob is survived by his wife of nearly 65 years, Arlene (nee: Strahan) and sons, Robert (Rob) (Margo) Quinn and Andrew Quinn. He is survived by his grandchildren, Jessica (Michael) Kropp, Jane Quinn, Robert John (RJ) Quinn, Gretchen Quinn, and Henry Quinn, as well as his sister, Beth Ann (William) O’Neil and Tom (Kelly) Quinn. 

Bob lived a life of quiet faith, serving as a Eucharistic Minister and Minister of Care for several parishes. Throughout his career, he traveled extensively with Arlene with memorable trips to China and Ireland. As a grandfather, he enjoyed nothing more than watching and supporting his grandchildren in their sporting and school events. He was always available to “crunch the numbers” and recap afterwards. In later years, Bob loved listening to Irish music and watching his new-found home team, the Cubs, with his family.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew Quinn and Anne (nee: McEvoy) Quinn, and his grandsons, Nathaniel and John.

 A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at 10:30 AM at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 33 S. Buesching Road, Lake Zurich, Illinois. Family will greet visitors in the Gathering Space beginning at 9:30 AM. A private interment will follow at Wind Ridge Cemetery, Cary, Illinois.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that family and friends consider donating to Catholic Charities in Bob’s memory. The family would like to thank the following for their support and care over the last few weeks: Father Christian Shiu, Father David Ryan, the staff at Good Shepherd Hospital and JourneyCare Hospice.