Edward D. Quinn, of Peabody, known affectionally as Ed or Eddie, died Wednesday, November 17, 2021, at Beverly Hospital following a brief illness. He was 93 years old, and yet still taken too soon. He was the devoted husband of the late Nancy Nicoline “Niki” (Creeden) Quinn.

Many words were used to describe Ed, but to pick one above all it would be sweet. He was kind, honest, sincere, and a sweet, sweet man. He was a man that dedicated his entire life to helping those who needed it. He was a lover of life, a man who kept a great sense of humor right up to the end. He was a man who never truly hated anyone and felt that everyone deserved a second chance.

Born in Peabody, on August 7, 1928, he was the youngest son of the late John Francis and Mary Elizabeth (Callahan) Quinn. He lived his entire life in Peabody, often recalling his days in “Crow Village,” and serviced and supported the community almost his entire life in many ways.

He started his academic life at St. John’s School, one year earlier than he was supposed to due to his mother being sick, and was watched over by his older siblings as he was the youngest of five. He later became a graduate of Lynn’s St. Mary’s High School, Class of 1947. Later in life he furthered his education and attended many courses and classes and was a graduate of Northeastern University for his bachelor’s and Anna Maria for his Masters, both in Criminal Justice; all done while working two jobs. He was elected Class President while at the Massachusetts Police Academy, which he volunteered to attend, after being on the job for a while and being one of the “older” recruits.

As a young man, Ed worked for Rowe Motor (Ford Dealership) in Peabody, as well as North Shore Shopping Center, when it first opened, as a special police officer and with the maintenance department. But his true passion was public service. He was appointed to the Peabody Police Department’s reserves in 1956, and then became a permanent police officer on December 25, 1958. His career, as well as his life, was nearly cut short in February of 1962. While directing traffic on Main Street during a snowstorm, he was hit by a car, hurling him over 100 feet. He received over 18 major fractures, spent a year in the hospital and was out of work for twenty-eight months. Ed was a strong-willed man. Having a young family, he fought his way back, when he could have taken an easier route, he returned the job a year and half later. When he heard of other police officers in similar situations, he would call them to offer support. He studied often, took promotional exams, and was promoted to Lieutenant in 1972 and to Captain in 1986. He received many commendations throughout his career. He retired in 1989 as police prosecutor at the Peabody District Court after thirty-three years, where he made many friends. During his career at the Police Department, he helped with many programs such as the annual Jimmy Fund All-Star game and started a school crosswalk program manned by police officer in the early 1970s, which is now performed by crossing guards. But that was not the end of his public service. In 1992 he ran for a seat on the City Council, representing Ward 6, and served two terms, and as Council President in 1994. During his tenure on the City Council, he fought for many causes and one of his proudest accomplishments was campaigning for Peabody to join in a recycling program. In addition to all his other jobs, in his “retirement” he worked for Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home.

His duty to serve extended beyond local service, and while he missed serving in World War II, he enlisted in the Massachusetts National Guard June 23, 1948, serving nearly thirty years, retiring at the rank of Sergeant First Class (E-7) assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Battery of the 1/102 Field Artillery stationed out of the Salem Armory. He also received a United States Army Service Commendation. His zest for service carried through to his sons and daughters, as well as many that looked to him as a role model.

He was active in many other ways. As a lifelong communicant of the Catholic Church, he attended St. Adelaide’s Church for many years and served in many capacities including a lectern and as a Eucharistic minister. His civic organizations and duties included the Knights of Columbus, IACC (where he enjoyed many dinners with friends), Second Corps of Cadets, the Yankee Division Association, the Silver Social, the Council on Aging, and being proud of his heritage (DNA stating 99% Irish) he was a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, as well as the Boston Police Emerald Society, where he was award Man of the Year.

In his philanthropic service, he gave to many charities over his lifetime. Some of those charities included the Peabody Community Life Center, Wounded Warriors, and schools such as the southwest Indian schools that he had visited when traveling with Niki as well as many others.

Some of his hobbies and interests included puzzles, cribbage, and traveling. Even though he hated to fly, he took many trips, nine in total to Ireland alone. He loved to travel, when he could, Ireland, France, Spain, Italy, Canada, and Florida and when he retired in 1989, he and Niki traveled across country in a car for three months (noting they only “fought” once). He looked forward to his annual fishing trips to Princeton, Maine at the Down River Camps. When he was younger, he tended to a garden lot both at his home on Russell Street and in Middleton at a community field that assisted with potato research for Northeastern University. He was also a lover of peanuts and peanut butter which he ritually put on ritz or saltine crackers. But most of all he loved life and family.

As stated before, his wife Niki, died too early from the insidious disease of Alzheimer’s. She was the love of his life, and it was love at first sight. He married her in 1955, one year to the day after they met. However, even when he could have taken the easier way and had the means for a nursing home, he stayed with her and took care of her right to the very end, albeit heartbroken. Over the past several years he himself fought the good fight, but in the end, he surrendered, to be free, and it was time to be reunited. We are sure she is waiting to greet him for their next journey. She came to him the night before and he said I’ll be right there. We are blessed to have known him and he will be missed, but lucky to have had him. If any of us can be half the person he was, we will be fortunate because he set the bar high.

This kind, sweet, and thoughtful man, whose ripples he created in life reached so many, is survived by his four children. His oldest son, Sagadahoc County Deputy Sheriff David Brian Quinn and his wife Jessica Lois Quinn of Augusta, ME; his two daughters, Karen Quinn Holland of Winter Haven, FL, Andrea Camilla Myers and her husband James Myers of Lyman, ME and Edward D. “Ted” Quinn, Jr. and his wife Karen Elizabeth Swenson Quinn of Rockport, MA. He is also survived by eleven grandchildren: Shaun Patrick Quinn, Sarah Patricia (nee Quinn) Holbrook, Meghan Leigh Quinn Haigas, Timothy Marshall Holland, Nicoline Anne Holland, Sheridan Leigh Holland, Edward James Myers, Robert Scott Myers, Kayla LeBel (nee Quinn) Smith, Anna Leigh Quinn-Krull, and Lilah Rae Quinn, all who remember his “cat” imitation. He is also survived by six great grandchildren, Madison Lee Holland, Timothy Marshall Holland, Jr., Beckham Michael Bracci, Mila Saige Holland, Salem Daniel Quinn-Krull, Parker Bryan Holbrook, and many nieces and nephews whom he loved and with whom he loved spending time. They in turn helped him in his old age. He loved and worked tirelessly in his efforts during our annual Thanksgiving for the Quinn-McCarthy-Burns Clan. A special thanks to Judy (nee Quinn) McNiff, Mary (nee McCarthy) Lavoie, David McCarthy, and Filomena Sousa. He was predeceased by his siblings, John Philip Quinn, Robert Francis Quinn, Mary Ruth Burns, and Eleanor McCarthy whom he adored and who agreed with the philosophy of always sticking together.

While obituaries, eulogies, and such can only scratch the surface of a person life, those who wish to learn more about Ed, or those who knew him and would like to share their memories and experiences that they had with Ed are encouraged and most welcome to help celebrate his life on Sunday afternoon, from 2:00 until 5:00 at Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St, Peabody. His mortal body will be laid to rest at Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody, after his funeral at 9:30 at Conway, Cahill-Brodeur and his Funeral Mass at 10:30 am at St. Adelaide’s Church, Lowell Street, Peabody. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to Peabody Community Life Center, 75 Central St, Peabody, MA 01960.