Thursday, Dec. 31, 1931 – Monday, Nov. 25, 2024
Shrewsbury – Bernard Vincent “Barney” Quinlivan, 92, of Shrewsbury MA, passed away in his home on November 25, 2024 surrounded by his loving family. Born and raised in Worcester, he was the son of the late John J. and Mary “May” (Mulchrone) Quinlivan, originally from Lissycasey Co. Clare and Turlough Co. Mayo Ireland respectively and later of Worcester, MA.
Barney was predeceased by his beloved wife Kathleen “Kay” (Sullivan) Quinlivan of 66 years in Feb 2023. Barney and Kay were parents to their devoted sons, Bernard (Annmarie), Mark (Andrea), Thomas (Maureen), John who predeceased him in 2020 (Karen), James (Karen) and Joseph (Kim).
He was predeceased by his siblings Mary Kenny, John “Buddy” Quinlivan, Robert “Bob” Quinlivan, Richard Quinlivan and James Quinlivan and Eileen Quinlivan who predeceased him in their infancy. Barney will be profoundly missed by his 14 grandsons and 3 granddaughters: Patrick Quinlivan, Meghan Zawadzki, Sean Quinlivan, Brendan Quinlivan, Daniel Quinlivan, Jack Quinlivan, Anthony Quinlivan, Liam Quinlivan, Brian Quinlivan, Katherine Quinlivan, Michael Quinlivan, Jack Quinlivan, Kevin Quinlivan, James Quinlivan, Jaclyn Quinlivan, Sean Quinlivan, Patrick Quinlivan, six great-grandchildren, as well as his many nephews and nieces.
Every Saturday night throughout their 66-year marriage, Barney and Kay could be seen at their favorite local restaurants, sharing a meal and many laughs with their closest friends.
Barney was a graduate of St. John’s High School, class of 1949. Barney was a Korean Combat Veteran serving his country as an Infantry Sergeant in the Korean War with the U.S. Army’s 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. He was assigned to Company I, one of the rifle companies in the 3rd Battalion. He received 2 Bronze Stars and a Combat Infantry Badge among other medals during his service in Korea. Barney later returned to the U.S. and taught marksmanship at Fort Drum in upstate New York before receiving an Honorable discharge.
True to his humble nature, Barney never spoke of his Korean War service after returning home. His multiple military medals remained unknown even to his children, exemplifying the quiet dignity and discipline that defined his character.
Barney attended Worcester Junior College and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree from Fitchburg State College and a Master’s Degree from Worcester State College.
Barney taught English, History and Civics at David Prouty High School during his 30+ year career there and was President of the David Prouty Teachers Association for 20 years. After completing his teaching career, he worked in his “retirement job” at O’Brien & Gibbons Insurance Agency for over 20 years until the age of 87 years old. For over 25 years, he enjoyed his weekly Par 3 golf outings at Cyprian Keyes with Dick, Fred, and Franny, where golf and friendship seamlessly blended into lively fun filled lunches with their wives on the patio after the round.
Barney’s life was characterized by his quiet humility, discipline, love of family and fierce loyalty to his family and friends. His devotion to family and Catholic faith carried him throughout his life. Barney’s favorite time of year was the Christmas season where he and Kay’s Christmas Eve celebration was a favorite of theirs for 60+ years, their house filled with over 50 family members and close friends. Barney would start his Christmas shopping in February of each year and was known to spend his entire yearly “retirement job” salary on Christmas gifts for his grandchildren. Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He was known for his keen sense of style and fashion as well as his love of sports. You could not walk into his house without a sporting event being on television from the time his children were infants throughout his life.
A 1949 graduate of St. John’s High School, Barney was a lifelong supporter of his alma mater, where his six sons also graduated. He rarely missed a St. John’s basketball, baseball, or football game well into his 80’s and served as Chairman of the 1992 Alumni Fund.
Barney will be deeply missed by his children and grandchildren, but his humility, loyalty, discipline, smile and kind spirit will live on in those he leaves behind.
Calling hours will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, November 29, 2024 at Britton Funeral Home 648 Main St., Shrewsbury, MA and his Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, November 30, 2024 at St. Mary’s Church, 640 Main. St Shrewsbury, MA, followed by interment at Mountain View Cemetery in Shrewsbury MA.
The Family would like to give a heartfelt thank you to Barney and Kay’s exceptional caregiver in their final years: Esther Richards. The family would also like to recognize Monsignor Michael Rose who was especially compassionate with his regular visits to Kay and Barney during their most trying times.
One of Barney and Kay’s final wishes was to help find a cure for Adrenal Insufficiency, something near and dear to their heart.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be made to the Kay-Q-Fund (https://www.gofundme.com/f/Kay-Q-Fund), which was established in his beloved wife’s name in order to continue to fund the recent hopeful progress in this area. (Search Go Fund Me: “Kay-Q-Fund”)
