Thomas Francis Quinn

Thomas was born on May 16, 1949 to Eleanor Jane Miller and Frank Martin Quinn of Haddon Heights, New Jersey. His family moved to Pittsford, New York and later to Williamsville where Thomas graduated from Williamsville Central High School in 1967. He attended the State University of New York at Buffalo where he earned an undergraduate degree in South American History and a Juris Doctor degree from SUNY.

In 1974, upon earning his JD, Thomas moved to Denver with his wife Laurie Ann and two best friends from high school. They drove out in their Chrysler Newport which they dubbed the Queen Mary and rented a small house in Hill Top, spending their days playing Chess, looking for work and studying for the Colorado Bar. Thomas was offered his first professional job as a law clerk for Charles Goldberg, a Colorado District Court Judge and they remained life long friends. He went on to practice law with Rothgerber, Appel and Powers and he soon started his own practice, Thomas F. Quinn. PC.

Thomas married Lynn Richards in 1988 and they had one child, Katherine. He shared his myriad of interests with his family. He enjoyed the arts, music, the sciences, history, hiking, skiing, gardening and traveling. In particular, he had a keen interest in geology; rock hounding in his younger days and later being dazzled by rocks and gems in museum exhibits. In addition, intellectual stimulation was a large part of Tom’s life and reading was an activity he relished. There was never a book he did not finish. John McPhee, an author of creative nonfiction, was a favorite author, among others. Blending two of Tom’s interests, McPhee writes, “Rocks are records of events that took place at the time they formed. They are books. They have a different vocabulary, a different alphabet, but you learn how to read them.” Stimulating conversations, sharing opinions and stories were delights for Tom.

Thomas loved jazz and he served on the board of City Park Jazz from 2001 to 2016 and acted as president for several years before mentoring and passing the baton to a young man, Chris Zacher. Thomas also took pleasure in participating and working for The Colorado Historical Foundation: Historic Preservation Revolving Loan Fund for many years. A proud member of the Metropolitan Irish Counselors, Thomas participated enthusiastically in their St. Patrick’s Day celebrations for forty years.

Practicing law for almost fifty years was a profession that suited Tom well. His early career focused on bankruptcy and then broadened to include business litigation and business advice. Tom received the highest possible ratings from the Denver legal community for his legal skills and ethical standards. Tom's role as a counselor and advisor was central to his approach to the practice of law. He loved solving problems for clients, who benefited from his sharp intellect, empathy, fairness, and dedication.

Thomas was preceded in death by his parents Eleanor and Frank Quinn. He is survived by his spouse Lynn Richards, daughter Katherine Quinn, brother Kieran Quinn (Robin Brown), nephews, Thaddeus Quinn and Ted Quinn, great niece and nephews, Elsie, Henry, and Sam.

He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends, clients, and associates.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of lowers, donations can be made to the Colorado School of Mines Foundation. Please indicate the donation is for the museum in Tom’s honor.

Website: weare.mines.edu

Directions for website use:

Click “give”in the upper right.

Fill out in honor/memorial.

On the same page, click “Causes” and then click Campaign for Mines 150. Scroll down to “museum.”

Mailing address is PO Box 4005

Golden, CO 80402-4005

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.olingerhampdenmortuary.com for the Quinn family.