Editorial: Tim Quinn

Harford County lost an energetic member of its community of non-profit organizations and an advocate for people with disabilities with the death of Tim Quinn on Jan. 10.

Quinn, who died from cancer at the age of 56, had been executive director of The Arc Northern Chesapeake Region since 1990.

During his tenure, the Arc made the transition from a facility based organization to one based on community services. He played a major role in the renovation and expansion of the Arc center on Rt. 7 near Aberdeen.

Quinn served on the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council for ten years and was a past president of the Maryland Association of Community Services. He also served on the boards of the Maryland Association of Resources for Families and Youth, the Harford Leadership Academy and Home Partnership.

As the subject of the manager-entrepreneur section of the August 2003 Harford Business Ledger, Quinn was asked what advice he would give others. “Keep a sense of humor and lead with vision and passion,” he responded.

That Tim Quinn did. In the same article, he commented, “It’s easy to have passion and commitment when you are involved in such a worthy cause and you can see the impact of your work in people’s lives.”

He also lived for physical activities. At the time of that article, Quinn had just turned 50 and was looking for a league of fellow over 50 ice hockey players. He said it was fortunate he liked cold winters since he attended Sioux Falls University in South Dakota, one of the few places offering Bachelor of Social Work degrees at the time. Quinn also was a runner who completed several marathons, including the New York marathon.

Those who wish to remember Quinn can do so by making donations to the Tim Quinn Memorial Fund, Arc of the Northern Chesapeake, 4513 Philadelphia Road, Aberdeen, MD 21001 or the Padraig Quinn Trust Fund, 239 North Main Street, Elkton, MD 21921.
                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                       Jack McLaughlin
                                                                                                                                       HBL Editor
                                                                                                                                       January 15, 2010