Marblehead…..

William A. Quigley of Marblehead, retired Massachusetts National Guard Brigadier General and State Quartermaster, passed away Friday morning in the Kaplan Family Hospice House, Danvers surrounded by his family, following a year long battle with cancer. He and his loving wife Joan (Porter) Quigley had recently celebrated 52 years of marriage.

Born in Malden, Mr. Quigley was the son of the late Charles F. and Gertrude F. (Quigley) Quigley. He was raised in Chelsea and graduated from Chelsea High School. In 1947 General Quigley joined the United States Army and proudly served his country for two years. Following his discharge, he graduated from Northeastern University in 1956 and then became employed in his family's construction business Robert Charles of Boston.

On June 17, 1947 he joined the United States Army and served on active duty until December 16, 1948 when he joined the Army Reserve. On August 14, 1950 he became a Platoon Sergeant in the Army National Guard, Battery C, 772 AAA Battalion. Then on July 12, 1952 he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and then on July 12, 1955 he was then promoted within his battalion to 1st Lieutenant, S2. In 1956, General Quigley graduated from Northeastern University and then became employed in his family's construction business, Robert Charles of Boston while still remaining active with the National Guard.

On July 13, 1957, he was promoted to Captain of Battery D, 2nd Missile Battalion, a position he held until being promoted to Major at Headquarters of the 26th Infantry Division as the G2. His promotion to Lieutenant Colonel Army National Guard, came on February 3, 1971 when he became the Director of Facilities and Construction at State Headquarters of the Massachusetts National Guard. At this time he was appointed as the State Quartermaster for the Massachusetts National Guard. October 18, 1978 Later, he was promoted to Colonel as Director of Facilities and Maintenance. He held this position until his retirement from the Army National Guard October 18,1983. At this time he was promoted to Brigadier General, Commonwealth of Massachusetts until his retirement in 1995.



A longtime member of the Boston Yacht Club, General Quigley was an avid sailor. He had raced initially in the Lightening Class and later in the Etchells Class sailboats in Marblehead during the summer. In the winter he continued sailing an Interclub Dinghy in the Frostbiting fleet for many years.

A longtime communicant of Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, he enjoyed his friends at the Driftwood, Marblehead Football and dabbling in local politics. His true pride and joy were his grandchildren. "Papa", as his grandchildren affectionately called him, was at every event in which they participated.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by four children and ten grandchildren, William A. and his wife Elizabeth Quigley, and their children Grace, Will, Eliza and Tyler of Marblehead, Susan and her husband Tom Collins, and their children Kelly, Meghan and Casey of Marblehead, Meaghan and her husband Don LeClerc and their children Katie, Danny and Kyle of Salem, and Mark and his wife Kathleen and their children Jack, Thomas and Cameron of Marblehead; a sister Mary Alice and her husband Fredrick Kelley of Chelsea and Littleneck Ipswich; two sisters in law Nancy Quigley of Arlington and Gloria Quigley of Marblehead and twenty-two nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by two brothers Charles F. and Hugh Quigley, a sister Nancy Silva and a brother in law Tom Silva, MD.


His funeral will be held on Tuesday, June 9th at 9:15 A.M. from the Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal St., (corner of North St) Salem to be followed by a funeral Mass at 10:00 A. M. in Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, 85 Atlantic Ave, Marblehead. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours will be Monday from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M in the funeral home. Interment will be in Greenlawn Cemetery, Salem. In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial contributions to the Marblehead Boosters, P.O. Box 244, Marblehead, MA 01945-0244. For online guest book or additional information please call 978 744 0497 or visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com.