Obituaries: James Joseph McQuillen, Sr. (Jan. 19, 1936 – March 11, 2011)

James Joseph McQuillen, Sr., aka “Mac,” passed away peacefully with his family at his side on March 11, 2011, after a long illness. He was born Jan. 19, 1936, in Brooklyn, N.Y. He graduated from Hicksville High in Long Island, N.Y. in 1953. One of his favorite stories of his high school days was when he tackled NFL football legend Jim Brown.

Before his 26 years in law enforcement, he served four years in the United States Air Force, being stationed in Sado-Shima, Japan and then Requa 777TH Radar Station in Klamath,  where he was an aircraft control and warning operator. He also served as one of “New York’s Finest” (N.Y.P.D) before returning with his first wife and their family to Klamath. He began his career with the Del Norte County Sherriff’s Office in 1966 and retired after more than 20 years of law enforcement. He was a sergeant and a range master/fire arms instructor for the Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office. His radio call number was 2-3-7. Jim took great pride in serving Del Norte County.

Jim’s hobbies included weightlifting, fishing, jogging, shooting his guns, spending time at Point St. George beach,  and attending his children’s sporting events.  He had a great sense of humor and enjoyed joking with family and friends.

He was truly loved and will be missed by his eight children, David Oliver-McQuillen, Elizabeth Davis, Barbara McQuillen, Mary McQuillen, Jim McQuillen Jr., Theresa McQuillen, Raymond McQuillen, and Daniel McQuillen, and 42 grandchildren and great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his wife Geraldine McQuillen of Coos Bay, Ore., and his brother Dennis McQuillen of South Carolina. He was preceded in death by his parents Raymond and Mary McQuillen and his first wife Ida “Betty” McQuillen.

Services will be held on Saturday, March 19, 2011, at 11 a.m. at Wiers Mortuary Chapel. Interment will follow at the Del Norte County Veterans’ Cemetery with Military Honors in Crescent City.

Arrangements are under the direction of Wier's Mortuary Chapel.

— Submitted by Wier’s Mortuary Chapel