Bill Quirk

William E. Quirk, III was born April 19, 1948 in Jersey City, New Jersey and passed away in East Orleans, Massachusetts on September 3, 2025. Bill personified the true American dream and at an early age knew he was destined for greatness. He led a life based on principle, achieved prominence in all aspects of it, had a strong moral compass, loved deeply, and was wicked smaaht. The family he had built over his 77 years was his greatest achievement. He was the loving husband of Susan Douglass Quirk and the father of four children – William Edward Quirk, IV, Jennifer Whalen Boucher, Sarah Constance Quirk, and Douglass Kieran Quirk. He was the grandfather of four – Gavin William Boucher, Landon Roy Boucher, Hayden Mary Elizabeth Boucher and Cameron Thomas Quirk. He maintained a kind and loving relationship with his former wife and mother of his two eldest children, (Mary) Kathleen Quirk. He was the eldest of five children and cared deeply for each of his siblings – Rosemary DiStefano, Carol Ann O’Connell, Diane Cecilia Quirk and Gerard Christopher Quirk (deceased). He was also the proud grandfather of Maverick Quirk (Malinois/German Shepherd). He was an amazing son-in-law, brother-in-law, uncle, and a dear friend to many. He mentored and guided Susan, Kathy, his four children, and all those he loved and cared about with steadfast determination and that famous twinkle in his eye.

Bill began his working life delivering newspapers and telegrams on his bicycle in Jersey City and retired as a Global Head of Healthcare while living in Colorado Springs. As a child, he enjoyed spending his summers with his grandparents in Hoboken, Sarah Constance Whalen and Kieran (Steak) William Whalen. He graduated high school from St. Michael’s in Union City, New Jersey with two full scholarships. He had never been out of the tri-state area and flipped a coin between University of Florida and University of Colorado. He found his passion for service at the University of Colorado Boulder where he served as the President of Sigma Nu and as an Air Force cadet in ROTC during the Vietnam War. In addition to keeping up with a comprehensive curriculum and extracurricular activities, he was already looking ahead to the next steps. Upon graduation in 1970, he returned to the East Coast and attended Harvard Business School, funded by his grandmother, Sarah. After one year at HBS, duty called and he left the Charles River for the San Antonio River to fulfill his Air Force obligations and pursued a master’s in psychology in his free time. He left the Air Force as a Captain and married Kathy in 1975. Upon his return to Boston in 1976, he completed his second year at HBS and graduated with an MBA in Finance in 1977. Their son Billy attended his father’s business school graduation at six days old. Jenn was born two years later and the family spent his post grad years in Wellesley, Massachusetts.

In addition to being a newlywed and father of two, Bill continued to pursue another challenge. He joined Towers Perrin, where he made firm history as the fastest Associate to Partner of all time. He fell in love with serving the healthcare industry, which he continued to do for 40 years. Bill was known as a leader and national expert in healthcare executive compensation and governance. Prior to his retirement from consulting, he oversaw the growth and success of the national practices at a myriad of firms across all levels of leadership roles. He was known by his colleagues and peers as someone who would give his opinions directly and was never afraid to tell a client when they were wrong.

In 1993, he married Susan in Atlanta and together they welcomed their daughter and son, Sarah and Douglass. Bill marveled at being a father of four and worked hard with the help of Susan, Kathy and others to successfully connect the children as one big family. He was enormously proud of each of them and so glad they loved each other as siblings.

Given his opportunities to live in beautiful places throughout his life, he always demanded that his home (or vacation spot) had a spectacular view. He was an avid reader of fiction spy novels and a history buff. He loved California Chardonnay, going out to eat at his favorite spots in every city (preferably at a round table that wasn’t too loud), and going to the movies, specifically action packed ones. He also had a love for cars, specifically his 1971 Oldsmobile that he named “Big Red”. He loved this car because he could fit 4 grown adults or a kayak in the backseat of it. He was always incredibly generous, humble, and loving.

He spent his final days rounding out the summer in East Orleans, Massachusetts, spending quality time with his family and close friends, eating his favorite foods, drinking good wine, and enjoying his view of Nauset Beach.

Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend visiting hours, Wednesday, September 10, 2025 from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM at Nickerson Funeral Home, 77 Eldredge Park Way, Orleans, MA. A service will be held Thursday at 11:00 AM at The Brewster Baptist Church, 1848 Main St. Brewster, MA.