Commander Paul Francis Quinn, USN Retired, 66, of Pleasant Valley, New York passed away, with his wife by his side, on Wednesday, November 9, 2016 at Vassar Brothers Medical Center from a long-term illness. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts on August 31, 1950 to the late Francis Bennett Quinn and the late Kathryn Marr Quinn and raised in their home in Lexington, MA. He attended Holy Cross College in Worcester, MA graduating in 1972 with a BA in Biology and a commission to the US Navy through their ROTC program.

Commander Quinn spent 20 years in the US Navy specializing in meteorology, oceanography, nuclear energy, and space systems. He began his Navy career with the Pacific Fleet and was stationed to multiple locations around the globe including Ft. Meade, MD; Monterey, CA; Yokosuka, Japan; Annapolis, MD; The Atlantic Fleet; Washington, DC; and Arlington VA. He received dual Masters of Science degrees in Oceanography and Meteorology at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA in 1978 and an equivalent MS degree in Public Service Administration from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in 1988. He was awarded myriad commendations and medals during his time as a commissioned naval officer. He retired from the Navy with the rank of Commander in 1992 and went on to teach Naval Junior ROTC at Curtis High School in Staten Island, NY. Having been a professor at the US Naval Academy during his naval career he built on those skills to become a much beloved teacher in the NYC public school. He turned around a failing JROTC unit, at risk of shuttering, to become ranked second in the nation in just seven years. During his time at Curtis High he received a Letter of Commendation from Governor Pataki, a Proclamation for Excellence from Mayor Giuliani, was named Staten Island's "Man of the Year" in 1999 and June 28, 1999 was proclaimed "CDR Paul F. Quinn Day" on Staten Island. Though these awards and commendations were significant, the most important aspect of his time at Curtis High was his effect on his 1,000+ "at risk" students that he helped to not only graduate high school but also aided in their later successes in life from helping them gain attendance to various US military academies to securing jobs in the military and beyond. He was the most proud when speaking of his students and had continued to stay in touch with them until his death. He retired from the NYC public school system in 2005. He spent his retirement with his wife, Lynne, in Pleasant Valley, NY pursuing his life-long passions of aviation, marksmanship, and volunteerism.

He is survived by his wife, Lynne of Pleasant Valley, NY; his son Matthew and his husband Todd of Severna Park, MD; his son Christopher, his wife Lindsay, granddaughter Pearl and the mother of his children, Carolyn Quinn, of Issaquah, WA; his brother Phillip of Hilton Head, SC; his niece Sarah and nephew Michael; his stepchildren Mara Raskin and her daughters Rebecca and Rachel; Alex Raskin his wife Faye and their children Lillian and Nathaniel; Leslie Raskin; several cousins; and his beloved German Shepherds Mutzie and Tootsie.

Calling hours will be held on Saturday, November 19, 2016 at Allen Funeral Home, 1605 Main Street, Pleasant Valley, New York 12569 from 2-5PM. Funeral and burial services with full military honors will be held at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia at a time yet to be determined.