Richard C. Quinn Service Information

Richard Coyle Quinn was born in Queens, NY on Valentine’s Day, 1945. His parents, William James Quinn Jr. and Mary Coyle Quinn, had two sets of fraternal twins, with Rich being the older of the second set. He grew up in an Irish Catholic family in Bayside, Queens, attending St. Robert Bellarmine elementary school and Holy Cross High School, graduating in 1963. He briefly attended Siena College, where he enjoyed his newfound freedom a little too much, and his father insisted he come back home and get a job.

Rich was drafted into the Army in 1965 and served honorably with the 11th Armored Cavalry, the “Blackhorse,” as a tank crewman from 1966-67. He was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star for Valor due to his brave actions which allowed his crewmen to survive an attack in which their tank was destroyed. While he was always proud of his military service, it came at a high cost. Although he never complained, he would spend the rest of his life dealing with hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, and, in later years, Agent Orange-related prostate and bladder cancer. “War is hell.”

Upon his return from Vietnam, Rich followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, joining the New York City Police Department. He protected the streets of Lower Manhattan for 20 years, including details in narcotics and mafia investigations. He had some interesting stories. He retired after 20 years with the rank of Sergeant, proudly wearing the same badge number as his father, 740.

During these years Rich became a family man. He met Elizabeth Messano at the Driftwood Inn in Bellerose, Queens in August, 1971. After fighting off his buddies for her attention, she told him right away that she didn’t trust cops. It didn’t matter, he was hooked. A longtime friend describes how Rich looked at Liz with such love when they first met. They married on October 22, 1972, almost 50 years ago. They moved to Floral Park, Long Island, and had four daughters: Denise, Valerie, Patricia, and Kimberly. Together they provided their daughters a happy childhood filled with friends and fun.

After 20 years of service, Rich retired from the NYPD in 1989 at age 44. Our family moved briefly to Woodbridge, VA, and 2 years later to Newtown, Bucks County, PA. He joined the Bucks County Courthouse security team and was a security guard at the offices of Bucks County Children and Youth until his retirement in 2009. We enjoyed many trips together during these years, back to NYC and to 11th ACVVC reunions in places like New Orleans, San Francisco, Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon, and mom's least favorite, Death Valley. In later years, we made great memories on our annual family trips to Ocean City, NJ and to his cabin in the Poconos. Rich’s last trip was his bucket list cruise to Alaska (mom thought it was too cold and dad had “seen more wildlife in my own backyard”).

In addition to travel, Rich enjoyed his retirement years hunting and spending time with his family, friends, and veteran brothers. While he enjoyed traveling, he was happiest at home. He was very active in veteran’s organizations and was always there to help a veteran brother. He was an active member of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 210 in Doylestown where he served as President, the Langhorne and Yardley Rod and Gun Clubs, the Yardley Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6393, the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 4 PA, and the 11th Armored Cavalry’s Veterans of Vietnam and Cambodia.

We are incredibly touched to learn that his Purple Heart chapter will be renamed “Rich Quinn Chapter 4.” According to the citation, “We are so proud of your dad! He is a class guy! He was always willing to help so many others. Whatever was needed, Rich was there! Your dad is a genuine war hero! He served his country and fellow soldiers with courage and honorably. He deserves to have this post name!” We are happy to know that so many others saw him as we did: a hero.

Rich dedicated his life to protecting his country, community, and family. He was an utterly devoted husband, father, and PopPop; a true giver and provider, never asking for anything in return except chocolate chip cookies with walnuts and back scratches. He was adored by his family and was content to watch them grow up safe and happy, enjoy life, laugh, and spend time together. He was a role model who, without ever having to exchange a word about it, taught his family about love, strength, integrity, and selflessness. Rich made everyone laugh. He didn’t say much but you could always count on him for a great one-liner or sarcastic comment. He was always happy to help anyone that needed it in any way he could, and in our youth was even known to take in any friends that needed a stable home. He was always there for us, quietly and generously giving us the most perfect life and family. He is our hero, and will be so missed.

In addition to his beloved wife Elizabeth, Richard is survived by his loving and devoted daughters and sons-in-law: Denise and Stephan Novick of Abington, Valerie Quinn of Langhorne, Patricia and Brian Grissell of Levittown, and Kimberly Quinn and Ronald Swerdon of Philadelphia. The fact that his four children continue to live within 20 miles and gather weekly for family dinner is a testament to the closeness of the family Rich and Liz created. He is also survived by his six dear grandchildren: Logan, Mia, and Cameron Grissell, Benjamin and Alyssa Novick, and April Swerdon; his brother Robert (Phyllis) Quinn of Franklin Lakes, NJ, his twin sister Eileen (Gerard) Monaghan of New Milford, CT, and numerous extended family, friends, and Veteran brothers. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother William James Quinn III and infant sister Maureen Quinn.

Richard Coyle Quinn of Newtown, PA died peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, January 19, 2022 at St. Mary Medical Center. He survived many battles in his life but Covid was one that no amount of strength could overcome. He was 76.

Richard’s family will receive friends on Thursday Evening, February 3, 2022 from 6:00 to 8:00PM and on Friday, February 4, 2022 from 10:30AM until his Funeral Service 11:30AM in the Joseph A. Fluehr III Funeral Home, 800 Newtown-Richboro Road (at Holland Rd.) Richboro, PA 18954. His interment will follow with full Military Funeral Honors at Washington Crossing National Cemetery in Newtown at 1:30PM.

Richard was a passionate supporter of veterans. In lieu of flowers, contributions or volunteer service in his memory may be made to Salute 2 Service, 1705-C Bath Rd, Bristol PA, 19007, salute2service.org or Guardians of the National Cemetery, PO Box 233, Newtown, PA, 18940, guardiansofthenationalcemetery.org

The family requests all indoor guests wear masks to keep each other safe. Masks will be provided at the door to those who need one.

The live stream for those who cannot attend in person will be shown in the video panel below.

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