John Healy (Jack) McQuillan, 74, passed away peacefully surrounded by his children on November 11th, 2009 at St. Vincent's Hospital, Bridgeport, Connecticut. Formerly of Midland, Michigan he resided in Seymour, Conn. Born on October 13th, 1935 at St. Vincent's Hospital, Bridgeport, Conn. Jack was the oldest of three sons of the late Mary (Healy) and John Osborne McQuillan. A 1954 graduate of Stratford High School after distinguishing himself in basketball, track and cross-country. He was also student council treasurer his senior year. Jack continued his education at former New Haven College where he was a member of the student council that in 1957 proposed a plan to expand beyond the Junior College level. The growth we see before us today began then and is now known as the University of New Haven.
While at UNH Jack was the co-captain of the very first men's basketball team in UNH history. He was a member of the first UNH team to ever play an overnight away game, which was in Vermont. In January of 2005 Jack and his former teammates were recognized by UNH, the UNH Athletics Department and the UNH Alumni Association at a UNH Athletics Hall of Fame Program as athletes who were instrumental in the "beginning" of sports at the University of New Haven. Jack was an active member of the University of New Haven area Alumni Club, the Charger Huddle and a very proud member of the Golden Chargers, whose membership required graduation from UNH fifty or more years ago. Jack was a 1957 graduate from UNH with a degree in Business Administration. After graduation Jack enlisted in the U.S. Army where he served during the Vietnam Era at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. He held regional sales positions for major corporations in Connecticut and Michigan working for Del monte Foods and Motorola. He retired as assistant director of the Cooperative Education program at the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut. Jack is survived by three children, Judith Pardonnet, Naperville, Illinois. Jay McQuillan (Kristin), Orlando, Florida. Scott McQuillan, Chicago, Illinois. Four grandchildren, John and Mackenzie Pardonnet, Kiley and Kennedy McQuillan, a brother Laurence Mc Quillan and his wife Gerry of MD, and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Jack was preceded in death by his former wife Carole Louise McQuillan of Midland, Michigan who passed away in June of 2002, and a brother James Mc Quillan. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday November 20, 2009 at 10:30 A.M. at St. James Catholic Church Main Street Stratford, Connecticut. Interment with military honors will take place at St. Michael's Cemetery immediately following Mass. In lieu of flowers the family has asked that donations be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital, tribute #24709252. Adzima Funeral Home 50 Paradise Green Place Stratford, has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements