Harry Arthur Quigley

Harry Arthur Quigley born in Hackensack, NJ, was the second child and only son born to the late Harry Joseph Quigley and Elsa Amanda Martinson. He met his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Mabel Louise Southwick, in homeroom in Rutherford High School, Rutherford, NJ. They were married in November, 1953 and were married 69 years.

He is survived by his four children: Eileen Multari (Salvatore); Jerry (Myrna); Patrick (Breeda); and David (Mimi); two grandsons Gerald and Jonathan, and three great grandchildren, Conor, Grace, and Finn. He is also survived by two sisters, Dorothy Pinchak and Barbara Thornton as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Mabel and sister Janet Kaczmarek.

Harry was an avid baseball player. He was Captain of the Rutherford HS Baseball team. In 1949 he received a call from the Brooklyn Dodgers inviting him to try out for the team at Ebbets Field. In 2018

Harry was inducted into the Rutherford HS Athletic Hall of Fame. Harry enjoyed playing baseball, track, bowling, and golf.

He was inducted into the Army in 1951. His unit was expecting to be sent to Korea but they were informed they would be sent to Germany.

One day, outside the base commander’s office, he and his friend were having a vigorous catch. Their good technique and baseball skill caught the company commander’s eye. Their commander asked if they would like to try out for the Base’s Army Baseball Team, the Iron Dukes. After the tryout, they were drafted to the team. Harry then worked half a year in the photo lab and the other half playing baseball, travelling in Germany and entertaining the troops that came to watch games.

After being honorably discharged in 1953, he married Mabel and moved to Monsey, NY where they lived for 50 years. They raised their four children there. Harry was a milkman for Dairylea and Maple Grove and also worked for the post office.

After retirement they became “snowbirds” and lived half the year in New York and the other half in Fort Pierce, FL. They moved to Otego, NY in 2010. In 2020 due to health reasons, they relocated to their home in Otego, full time.

After the passing of his beloved wife he moved into the Veteran’s Home at Oxford, NY due to health issues. There he met other veterans and made great friends, attended many in-house events and went on field trips. He was loved by his friends and staff. He passed away peacefully at the Veteran’s Home.

The family wishes to thank the entire staff at the NYS Veteran’s Home in Oxford for the exceptional care they gave care to Harry. The caring and loving that they gave is truly appreciated.

A Celebration of Life service will take place in the spring at the Bookhout Funeral Home, Oneonta with burial and Military Honors at the Ouleout Valley Cemetery, Franklin.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations made to the “NYS Veterans Home in Oxford, Recreational Department.”