Bernard E. Quinn, 89, formerly of the East Mountain section of Scranton and later Old Forge, died Wednesday at Heather Glen Senior Living in Allentown. His wife of 58 years, the former Arlene M. Roche, preceded him in death in 2013.
Born in Scranton, he was the son of the late Daniel Joseph and Mary McDonnell Quinn. He was a member of Divine Mercy Parish in Minooka. Bernie attended South Catholic High School and was a member of the Scranton Police Department for 30 years, where he was a detective for 25 years.
Bernie insisted that the grandchildren call him "Bernie" instead of "Pa" to which they lovingly complied. His reasoning was he didn't want to be called "Pa" because to him it meant they were calling him a "dog's paw." He had a great gift for storytelling and joking around. When the grandchildren were young he would tell them these exaggerated stories and they would believe these stories for many years. Even adults and his daughters would question, whether is he joking with them. He also had this funny way of dancing even with Maggie, his dog. Bernie enjoyed taking his grandchildren fishing. He would take them freshwater and saltwater fishing; and even to observe ice fishing in the winter. In later years, Bernie and Arlene would love to be "snowbirds" and go to Fort Myers for a few months.
He is survived by two daughters, Karen Sternat and husband, Mark (Northampton); and Roxanne Quinn-Mancuso and husband, Anthony (Forest City); four grandchildren, Mark Sternat and Stacy (Gialbertsville), Brittany Remus (Philadelphia), Meghan Sternat (Jacksonville Beach, Fla.) and Caroline Quinn (Philadelphia); and twin great-grandchildren, Ava and Luca Sternat; and nieces.
He was also preceded in death by three sisters, Marion Thomas, Ann Doran and Elizabeth Kilker; seven brothers, Daniel, William, James, Joseph, Gerard (Dick), Francis and Eugene Quinn; and a nephew, Michael Quinn.
The funeral will be Saturday at St. Joseph's Church, Divine Mercy Parish, 312 Davis St., with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Friends and family may call Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. at Neil W. Regan Funeral Home Inc., 1900 Pittston Ave., or Saturday prior to Mass at the church from 9 to 9:45 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Bernie's honor to Alzheimer's Association, 2595 Interstate Drive, Suite 100, Harrisburg, PA 17110, or at alz.org; or the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741, or at cancer.org.
To email condolences visit the funeral home website.