WILKES-BARRE TWP. — John R Quinn, 74, a lifelong resident of Wilkes-Barre Township, passed away peacefully Monday, June 13, 2022 surrounded by his loving family.

He was the son of and the late John F. and Eleanor Flaherty Quinn. John graduated from Wilkes-Barre Township High School in 1966, where he captained the basketball and baseball teams. He was also senior class valedictorian. He went on to earn his Bachelor of Science and Master's Degrees at Bloomsburg State University. He proudly served in the Pennsylvania National Guard from 1970-1972.

He began teaching history and started coaching. He was a very well known and respected baseball and basketball coach. John started coaching junior high baseball and basketball at Wilkes-Barre Township High School and continued coaching at GAR High School and later coaching at James M. Coughlin High School. He was proud of his is JV Coughlin Baseball record 92-3. He was very proud of being last head baseball and basketball coach at his alma mater Wilkes-Barre Township High School.

John was a founder charter member and past president of the Wyoming Valley Boys Basketball Coaches Association, PA Interscholastic Coaches Association, and PA Association of Basketball Coaches.

During his basketball career, John coached his teams to more than 350 wins. He has taken them six times to PIAA interdistricts. His 1998 James M Coughlin High School team became the Wyoming Valley Conference champs, Coughlin's first WVC championship in school history. Sixteen times he has taken his teams to District II PIAA playoffs and was twice voted Coach of the Year (1983 and 1998). He was also elected to Luzerne County Chapter of the Sports Hall of Fame. John ran many sports camps,was the Keystone State Games, regional tryout coordinator and was twice head Pocono coach. John founded the James M. Coughlin High School Sports Hall of Fame. He was also the public address announcer at Coughlin football games for 44 years, until 2015.

Always a community-minded person, he served on the Wilkes-Barre Twp. Council from 2007-2011 and was elected to the Wilkes-Barre Area School Board in 2011. He was reelected again in 2015 and 2019. He was the local Wilkes-Barre Township historian, writing a book of Township history in 1974. He was very involved at the Wilkes-Barre Township Settlement Camp, where he served as director for many years and was Recreation Director for Wilkes-Barre Township. He was also a long time member of the former St Josephs Monastery, Wilkes-Barre Township.

John was a man of curious intellect, always trying to learn something new, a passionate educator and student of history, a mentor and friend to so many throughout his long career.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by sister Patricia Quinn.

He will be sadly missed by his wife, the former Elizabeth 'Betty' Hillard; children, Colleen Wood, John H. Quinn and Jennifer Quinn; grandchildren, Caitlin and Brigid Wood, sister, Suzanne Cosgrove; nieces and nephews; and numerous friends.

Not only being passionate about teaching and coaching, he was always so excited to cheer on his granddaughters at any sport or activity they were in. He would drive near and far to never miss seeing them play.You were always sure to have at least two fans because he was always with my mom. He always encouraged us to give it our all and was never shy on assisting the refs. We would not be who we are without him!

Funeral services will be held Tuesday June 21 2022 with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. from Our Lady of Hope Parish, 40 Park Ave. Wilkes-Barre.

Family and friends may call Monday June 20 2022 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the church.

Arrangements were entrusted to the Daniel J. Hughes Funeral & Cremation Service, Wilkes-Barre.

Memorial donations may be made to Candy's Place, 190 Welles St. Forty Fort Pa. 18704 or That Special Woman, 108 Gateway Shopping Center Edwardsville, Pa. 18704.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Times Leader from Jun. 18 to Jun. 19, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for John Quinn

27 Entries

Bruce Leib

June 11, 2025

Rest in Peace Coach.

Andrea Glod

July 7, 2022

REST IN PEACE JOHN!
Your family will always have their memories and that will sustain them!
Sincerely,Andrea

Jeff Draht

June 22, 2022

God Speed and God Bless Coach!
Jeff Draht

Paul Irzinski

June 22, 2022

John and his father will always be remembered for their love and dedication to WilkesBarre Township
and its citizens. Their commitment to children and those in need will never be forgotten. They
both taught in Wilkes Barre Township and Wilkes Barre Area Schools and were the greatest
models for both students and faculty.
I will never forget John. His integrity, honesty,
fortitude, wisdom and lust for knowledge are just some of his virtues made John special.
John left us too soon but his memory will last forever!
Our prayers are with his devoted family whom he loved and cherished and now have to cope with his unexpected loss.

Lorissa Lazo-Willuamson

June 20, 2022

Mr. John Quinn, An inspirational force! He taught us to learn something new daily, Appreciate, Strive to be your best & try, try again.. Yesterday is History Today is the Present. Tomorrow is a Gift ! He will truly be remembered as a gift to his community & everyone who knew him, myself included. Heartfelt Condolences. Memories Eternal. .

Peter Gagliarrdi

June 20, 2022

John was a Great American who loved his Country and Community. John spent a lifetime faithfully serving us, and for that we will always be grateful. I always enjoyed John's company, companionship, and conversation. John had a lifetime of insight to share. John will really be missed. My condolences to his family, friends, and associates

Jason D

June 20, 2022

I worked with John at Coughlin High School for a couple years. He was very helpful to me. He will be missed. God Bless.

Tanya K.

June 20, 2022

To the Quinn family - I am so sorry for your loss. Coach was a great teacher and always offered me a seat on the bus to the basketball games! Many fond memories. May he rest in peace.

Joe Long

June 20, 2022

Taught me about life and basketball. Gave me the passion to coach. I would not be where I am today if he did not inspire me to go back to school and get a degree.

stanley sypniewski

June 19, 2022

thebobby knight of basketball with xs andosrest inpeace coach

Linda Prutzman

June 19, 2022

I am so sorry for your loss. I will always hold dear all the memories of my family that were told to me. He knew so much of the townships history. He will surely be missed.

Troy

June 19, 2022

Mr. Quinn was a great man. He excelled in Basketball and Baseball eating All State. He passed on his knowledge on to many young men and will be missed. He loved to volunteer at the soup kitchen feeding the needy. May he Rest In Peace the great one Mr. Quinn

Denise and JP Meck

June 18, 2022

Dear Betty and children,
We are sad to learn of John´s passing. Please accept our condolences.There are so many years of memories that won´t be forgotten. May he Rest In Peace.

Edward Biniek

June 18, 2022

Mr Quinn was a great teacher, coach and mentor to me for many years.. so sorry for your loss. He will be sadly missed and he left me with nothing except great memories.

ANTHONYORZECHOSKI

June 18, 2022

I AM SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS ANTHONY

Mary Daniels

June 18, 2022

My sincere sympathy. My thoughts and prayers.

Marty&Kathy Kane, Ft Myers FL

June 18, 2022

Dear Mrs. Quinn & Family: We would at this time like to extend our most sincere condolences on the death of your husband&father John. Our thoughts&prayers are with your entire family at this time.

Jerry bonner

June 17, 2022

Dear Sue and Quinn Family iam so sorry to hear about your John he was a great guy so sorry for ur loss please accept our condolences may john rest in peace sincerely jerry bonner family daytona beach florida

Tracey Biniek

June 17, 2022

Betty so sorry for your loss sending prayers to you and your family

Jack Hess

June 17, 2022

Very sorry for your loss. John was a great man.

Kevin flaherty

June 17, 2022

To the Quinn family I offer my deepest sympathies.he loved his family,he loved to coach basketball,he was very proud of being a resident of w-b TWP and being a member of the wb school board.rest in peace john.

Charlene Banashefski

June 17, 2022

Mr Quinn's spirit will be sorely missed. He was my passionate history teacher at WBT, our dedicated basketball coach at Coughlin & die-hard fan of all things WB township.
What a great life of service he lived... as a lover of town/neighbor/family.
John (always Mr Quinn to me) lived a life of passion & by example, taught me early, passion brings substance to one's daily life.
It's with a smile I remember his drills at bball practice (I was 1 of the stat girls for the boys bball team)...he never let up! We even created a dance at the Staircase Lounge, named after him :
The John Quinn Shuffle!
Yes, he impacted many, in many ways & we are better for it...
Later, I proudly campaigned for him as he ran for a school board seat. He served there with the same passion he coached & taught.
May God Grant you peace in eternity Mr Quinn. You TRULY made a difference!

Nancy Cebula

June 17, 2022

So sorry for your loss.

Bob nahill

June 17, 2022

Condolences to the family . He always had time to talk to me when I worked at Coughlin or at the new high school. He was a good man

Charlene Banashefski

June 16, 2022

I read of John's passing & immediately knew his fierce spirit will be sorely missed. He was my passionate history teacher at WBT, our dedicated basketball coach at Coughlin & diehard fan of all things WB township.
What a great life of service he lived... as a lover of town/neighbor/family!
John (always Mr Quinn to me) lived a life of passion & by example, taught me early, passion brings substance to one's daily life.
It's with a smile I remember his drills at bball practice (I was 1 of the stat girls for the boys bball team)...he never let up! We even created a dance at the Staircase Lounge, named after him :
The John Quinn Shuffle!
Yes, he impacted many, in many ways & we are better for it...
Later, I proudly campaigned for him as he ran for a school board seat. He served there with the same passion he coached & taught.

May God Grant you peace in eternity Mr Quinn. You truly made a difference!

Sabrina Koprowski

June 16, 2022

Rest easy mr.quinn you were a great teacher, thank you for all you've done.

Frankie Matello

June 16, 2022

In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.

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