Mickey Hickey Quinn of Hart, Michigan died on February 16, 2007 at the age of 80. Mickey was born December 16, 1926 in Ludington, Michigan to John and Bessie (nee Saxton) Quinn, the youngest of nine children.
He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the end of World War II and in the Korean theater as a decorated Staff Sergeant specializing in high speed Morse code. He could be seen in uniform at ceremonies on Veterans Day and military funerals at Hart Cemetery to honor his fallen comrades. Mickey married Joan Anne Dyer from Minden City on January 16, 1953 in Detroit after knowing each other less than one month. They were married for 54 whirlwind years; loyal, dependable and faithful spouses raising 5 children together. Mickey was retired from the Detroit Police Department where he served for 25 years as a patrolman and harbormaster officer earning many citations for his police work. He played hockey, ran track and pole vaulted for the Detroit Police hockey and track teams. While in Detroit he learned to paint signs and lettered the Detroit Police Harbormaster boats. Continuing to paint signs the rest of his life he donated many, especially in the Hart Historical District. Mickey was an avid sportsman and shooter, he enjoyed bow hunting for deer, fishing steelhead and was an excellent marksman. He was the founding member of Hart Long Rifles Club in Hart donating many hours to running the club and teaching gun safety and marksmanship to adults and children. Mickey was a recovering alcoholic who also assisted many people in the Hart area with substance abuse.
A loving father and grandfather he instilled a sense of pride in his Irish heritage and American nationality to his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed sharing time at the rifle range and camping with them and seeing them pursue their own interests in sports, the outdoors and Irish dance. He never ventured far from home except twice to Ireland once, with great pride, to see his granddaughter, Jessie, step dance at the World Championships in Ennis.
He was a man of many talents but, above all Mickey was always there if he could do something, make something or say something that could bring you a smile.
Mickey is survived by his wife Joan Quinn; 5 children, Kevette Chapman (George), Keri Quinn, Kolleen Quinn, Kitti Persson (Lars), Keane Quinn (Amy); 5 grandchildren, Mairin Chapman, Jessie Chapman, Madeline Quinn, Molly Quinn, Megan Quinn; 2 brothers, Donald (Verna) Quinn and John (Lorraine) Quinn. He is predeceased by his parents; 3 brothers, James, Tim and Ernest Quinn and 3 sisters, Dolly Johnson, Leota Piazza and Marjorie Bottrell.
Visitation will be from 2-4:00 pm and 7-9:00 pm Monday, February 19; funeral at 11:00 am, Tuesday, February 20 at Tate-King Funeral Home in Hart. Interment at Delaware Township Cemetery in Forestville, Michigan. Memorials may be given to Harbor Hospice or the Salvation Army.