Edward Vincent Quinn

It is with profound sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Edward Vincent Quinn, at Huntsville Hospital during his third year of battling cancer.

He leaves behind his loving wife, Shirley; his cherished daughters; Kathleen Quinn and Patricia Hawley; his adored sister Carol; much admired son in law Brian; and most importantly, his beautiful granddaughter, Laine.

He will also be deeply missed by his family as well as his many lifelong friends. He was predeceased by his parents, his treasured older brother Bob, and his beloved nephew Michael.

Ed was born in Toronto, Ontario, to Vincent and Esther Quinn. He began his childhood in Kew Beach, before the family moved to Scarborough, where he spent many happy years running the neighbourhood streets and getting into mischief with his best friend, Jimmy and later with Mike.

Ed attended H.A. Halbert Public School, Neil McNeil, and R.H. King Academy. His childhood adventures with Jimmy became family legend. Whether it was beckoning Jimmy through the milk chute only to make a quick escape when the crashing bottles began, or convincing him to blow out the pilot light on the Quinn family furnace causing everyone be evacuated. Ed seemed to have a special talent for getting his friends into trouble. Their bus trips to cowboy movies also sparked what would become his lifelong fascination with firearms, history and the Old West.

Known affectionately as “Eddie” to his sister Carol and “Sam” to his older brother Bob, Ed was the adored baby and toddler of the family. His sister remembers him as a cheerful and hopeful young man, a partner in mischief and a constant companion. The three Quinn siblings shared countless adventures, with Ed often perched on Bob’s shoulder as they made their way through the neighbourhood.

Ed’s love of reading began remarkably early — at just two years old — and continued throughout his life. His reading evolved from childhood books to novels on his iPad, although not always willingly. In later years, one of his greatest pleasures was reading “Moo, Baa, La La La!” to his granddaughter, Laine.

Ed graduated from Ryerson in April 1972 and began his career in public health with the City of Toronto. In 1974, Ed and Shirley moved to Muskoka, where he was employed by the Muskoka-Parry Sound Health Unit, later known as the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit before retiring in 2012.

Shirley was Ed’s North Star. Together they built a loving, secure and happy family life. In his later years, Ed would often say how lucky he was to have Shirley and that he didn’t deserve her — one of the rare occasions when he willingly admitted she was right.

Ed was a devoted father to his daughters, Kathleen and Patricia. He was, in every sense, a true daughter dad — braiding and crimping their hair before school, and even surviving the indignity of having his work shirts and wool hunting socks disappear into his daughters’ wardrobes in the 1990s. No matter how old his daughters became, Ed never stopped worrying about them.

But his greatest joy was his granddaughter, the light of his life, Laine, and the reason he kept fighting. Anyone who encountered Ed — from hospital staff to complete strangers in a lineup — quickly learned how immensely proud he was of his “Grumpa” title. He could often be found reading with Laine, playing endless games of peekaboo, and completely captivated by her.

Ed will be remembered for his remarkable sense of humour — often politically incorrect, occasionally inappropriate, and almost always delivered with impeccable confidence. He was intelligent, honest, direct and never one to spare someone’s feelings simply to make a conversation easier.

He had strong opinions, particularly about politics, history and current events, and he was never shy about sharing them. Yet beneath his sometimes, gruff exterior was a man known by many for his kindness, compassion, loyalty and generosity.

Ed was passionate about history, firearms, hunting, fishing, reloading and single malt scotch. He became an instructor for restricted and non-restricted firearms safety courses and dedicated considerable time to firearms education and safety. He was involved with organizations including the Royal Canadian Legion Huntsville Branch 232, Eagle Lake Gun Club, National Firearms Association, and Conservative Party of Canada.

For decades, Ed shared his love of reloading, scotch, politics, military history and world events with his good friend Bill. Their friendship was built on years of spirited discussions, shared interests and, undoubtedly, a few strong opinions.

He enjoyed fishing and duck hunting with Reid, hunting with Al S, Roger, Mike and camp, western shoots with Ken and black powder shoots with Al B. He was involved in the Old Timers hockey league with the Huntsville Grey Owls, played slo-pitch baseball, and supported Air Cadets in Huntsville under Bill Lewis, as well as serving as Captain of the Parry Sound Squadron.

Ed was a man who could make a friend almost anywhere. He was also a man who could be stubborn. His family will fondly remember the ongoing battle over his hearing aids — a battle that began only after his close friend Jim bought his own pair. From that point on, his family could regularly be heard asking, “Why don’t you have your hearing aids in?”

Ed leaves behind a lifetime of stories — some that should probably never be repeated, many that will be told again and again, and countless memories that will make his family and friends laugh for years to come.

He was a man of conviction, humour, intelligence and heart. He loved fiercely, argued passionately, worried endlessly, and never pretended to be anyone other than himself.

“Talk to you when you’re older….”

In memory of Ed, donations can be made to The Royal Canadian Legion Huntsville Branch 232, Muskoka Seniors, and The Rotary Lodge-RVH Barrie.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Royal Canadian Legion, Huntsville Branch 232, located at 21 Veterans Way, on Saturday September 26, 2026. The Legion Memorial Service will be at noon followed by a reception.