Mark S. Quinton, 76, of Winter Springs, Florida, formerly of East Greenwich, passed away on Feb. 17. He was born in Providence on Oct. 1, 1944. His early childhood was spent in Wickford, and his family moved to East Greenwich in 1953. Mark was the oldest of four children of Edward J. and Virginia A. (Driscoll) Quinton.
Mark began high school in East Greenwich and transferred to Bishop Hendricken High School where he was a member of the first graduating class in 1962. He attended Marquette University on an NROTC scholarship and graduated in 1966. After completing Navy flight training, he became a P-3 Orion pilot and spent 20 years in the Navy. After his military service, Mark and his family relocated to Florida where he was on the security staff at Disney World.
A lifelong learner, Mark developed a love for aviation, astronomy, and meteorology early in his life when his parents would wake up his family in the early morning to view Sputnik or when, on a lucky winter evening, he could see the northern lights from his backyard. He was a gifted pianist who could play any music by ear. Mark had the ability to compose well written and amusing stories, due, no doubt, to his elementary education by the Sisters of Mercy. He was his family’s resource for accurately recounting fond childhood memories. Mark possessed a sharp Irish wit that always had everyone laughing including himself. He enjoyed all things related to Rhode Island, especially quahogs cooked or raw. Mark was a faithful Catholic and a cherished big brother. His greatest love was always for his family in whom he strove to instill his joy of life.
Mark was predeceased by his parents, his beloved first wife, the former Sheila Sinclair, and their son, Mark, Jr. Those left to mourn his passing are his children Sarah Ford (John) of North Carolina, Sean Quinton of Georgia, and Anna Quinton of Florida. He also leaves two grandchildren, John and Hayley Ford, who dearly miss their Granddad. Mark is also survived by his siblings Anne Arnett (John) of Canada, Christine Payne (Richard) of Virginia, Edward Quinton of East Greenwich, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, burial is private. His family hopes to gather together when it is safe to celebrate Mark’s life. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
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Hendrickson sat us alphabetically so it was Quinton and Rafferty thru many classes and grades. “Quinton and Rafferty cut it out” was heard tons of times thru the years by our teachers.
Rest In Peace dear cohort.
William
Thank you for sharing memories of Mark, William.
Mark was my dear cousin. Even though he and his brother and two sisters grew up in Rhode Island far from me in Chicago, we are now close as we enter the last few decades of our lives. Mark was a very fine son, husband, father and loving cousin to me.
Thank you, dear cousin, for your kind thought about Mark.
Christine & Ed, so sorry to hear about the loss of your brother Mark, albeit it has been a lifetime ago I remember him from The OLM days back in EG.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and the entire family!
Chris, thank you for your condolences on Mark’s passing and for sharing memories of him at OLM.
My deepest condolences to the Quinton family on your loss. Mark was a year ahead of me at OLM, so we had some times together then. I always enjoyed his great sense of humor. Happily, in the early 80’s, by chance Mark and I met again when we were deployed to the Med in different Navy units. He spent a couple of weeks aboard my ship. We had a great time reminiscing about our days at OLM and beyond!
Dennis, thank you for sharing reminiscences of Mark from OLM and from your time in the Navy. On what ship did you spend time together?
Christine, It was USS Guadalcanal (LPH-7), in early 1983 when deployed off Lebanon. I remember how surprised and delighted we both were to find each other.
Thank you for your reply, Dennis. What a wonderful story of childhood buddies meeting up on a Navy ship halfway around the world!
I am truly saddened to hear of his passing. He will be missed.
Thank you, Jack, for your kind words of sympathy. We miss Mark dearly.
Mark was so much more than a friend. He was a professional colleague, a college room mate, one of the gentlest souls I have ever had the privilege to be around.
Addtitionally, he was an exceptional musician who was shy about actually performing for his friends on the piano, but on the few occasions where we got him to play the results were nothing short of spellbinding. Farewell to a wonderful shipmate. Rest in peace Mark!
Thank you, Nick, for sharing your wonderful memories of Mark. He always cherished your friendship at Marquette and after when you both were in the Navy. We are heartbroken to lose him so suddenly. He had so much more to give to all of us.