Thomas Michael Quinn, III

Thomas M. Quinn went home to the Lord on August 1, just short of his 93rd birthday. Born in Astoria, NY August 5, 1924, the second of six children of Laura and Thomas M Quinn, he proudly served in World War II as part of the naval intelligence group, SACO. His tour took him behind enemy lines in China to spy on Japanese forces stationed there. On returning home he attended Holy Cross College and later went on to Harvard Law School on the GI bill to which he was greatly indebted. For a period of time he served as a Jesuit Priest.

In his forty year tenure as a Professor at Fordham Law School, he became a respected authority on the UCC legal code. Tom retired to New Canaan, CT and later to West Palm Beach, FL.

He is survived by his loving wife, Anita, and two adult children, Michael and David; brother William (Marilyn), sister Nancy (Dennis) Murphy, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother Robert (Barbara), and sisters Eileen (Frank) Beni, and Jean (Ron) Lowell.

A devout Christian, Thomas always endeavored to use his faith to help people. During the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s he organized students and protests. His proudest moment of that period was being present for MLK’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech in Washington, DC. From 1970 to 1971 he was chairman of the Board of New York Legal Services. Later he helped organize students doing summer projects in social welfare issues like housing, immigration, and domestic violence. This group provided internships for the students and later developed into the Social Research Group at Fordham growing even further when he received the first Norris Chair for social services. He also developed interdisciplinary courses with the School of Social Work to address child abuse and neglect.

A prolific writer, he often spent long days and nights at his desk tapping away on the typewriter. Among his literary accomplishments was the leading work on the Uniform Commercial Code, ‘Quinn’s Commentary and Digest on the Uniform Commercial Code’, famously known as Quinn on the Code, in addition to ‘Forms and Practice under the UCC’. Expanding on these texts he also maintained two monthly newsletters: UCC Law Letter and the Banking Law Letter.

A prodigious reader, he love the classics especially Dickens and Proust. He read in three languages and much to the chagrin of his wife, filled up every space he lived in with books. Endlessly curious he explored a wide array of diverse topics. He also had a deep love of culture and would frequently wander the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Opera, ballet, and classical music brought him great joy. In retirement, he began to study bird watching and developed an impressive stamp collection. Best of all he loved walking on the beach in Southold, NY and Florida.

Through his teaching years and throughout everyday living, Tom touched countless number of lives with his unassuming demeanor and a genuine concern for the well being of others. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.