Alex R. Quiroga, PhD

MARBLEHEAD - Dr. Alex R. Quiroga of Marblehead, loving husband of Beatriz F. Quiroga (née Flores), passed away into the loving arms of God with his family by his side on Friday, January 29th, 2021 at age 85. He was born to Juan and Victoria on July 23, 1935 in Oruro, Bolivia.

Dr. Quiroga was professor Emeritus at Salem State University, where he taught Spanish and Literature. He was esteemed and admired by both colleagues and students. Dr. Quiroga retired in 1996 as Head of the Foreign Language Department. After obtaining his Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and Literature at the University of Sant Cugat del Vallés in Barcelona, Spain, Dr. Quiroga received his Master’s Degree from Middlebury College. He earned his PhD in Spanish Literature from Boston University. He was awarded Professor of the Year in Foreign Languages at the national level. Dr. and Mrs. Quiroga were very involved with the Catholic Church through which they took Marriage Encounter to Bolivia. Dr. Quiroga was an author and a ham radio operator who loved to travel, read, and play games. Most of all, spending time with his family brought him great joy. He had a wonderful sense of humor and was a man of great character and faith.

Dr. Quiroga is survived by his wife of 57 years Beatriz F. Quiroga, his daughter Beatriz M. Mueller and his grandson Nicolas Noah Mueller of Lexington, his daughter Marcel V. Quiroga and Mark A. Tremblay of Salem, and his grandchildren, Alexandra-Lucia Baković of Branford, Connecticut, Jordi-Antonio and Valentina Baković, and his great-granddaughter, Victoria Elena Baković of Marblehead. Additionally, Dr. Quiroga leaves behind his extended family members across the United States, Bolivia, and Brazil that love him and will miss him dearly.

The family has entrusted Eustis & Cornell Funeral Home in Marblehead with the arrangements. A Mass followed by a private burial will be held on Thursday, February 4th at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, 85 Atlantic Avenue, Marblehead with COVID 19 attendance restrictions in place. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be sent to the UNICEF Covid-relief fund via the website below or at unicefusa.org.