Surrounded by devoted loved ones at his bedside, Louis Gerard Quigley (Lou to his friends, LouLou to his grandchildren) died early on the morning of February 16, 2019.
Born in Saint John in 1928, Louis was educated in New Brunswick, and was first employed with Dun & Bradstreet of Canada in 1952, then with Canadian National Telegraphs in Saint John and Halifax. In 1954, he joined the Federal Public Service, eventually ending up in Montreal. There, he met the love of his life, Theresia (Resel) Fiand, who was working as a meteorologist. In 1959, following their marriage, they moved to Ottawa where they started their family in 1960.
In 1961, he transferred to Moncton as head of Personnel for the Canadian Air Transport Administration. In 1969, he returned to Ottawa as Chief of Staffing and Manpower Planning for Transport Canada (air), and in 1971 was appointed Director of Personnel, Atlantic Region. He also served as Deputy Regional Administrator.
He was active in volunteer causes, particularly in his retirement years. He served on the board of Big Brothers/Big Sisters, delivered Red Cross Meals on Wheels, was a tutor for the Literacy Program, served on the human resources committee on the refurbishing of the Capitol Theatre, worked with the Moncton Symphony Foundation, and completed a number of University and Community College courses.
He was a prolific writer, and had many articles and stories published in newspapers across Canada, and authored a book entitled ‘Benedict Arnold, the Canadian Connection.’ He was an untiring writer of ‘Letters to the Editor’ on a wide range of subjects, in both Provincial and National periodicals, often prodding the powers that be to correct some injustice or failure of the system.
He also pursued a landmark case as litigant against the House of Commons for its failure to provide broadcasts of its proceedings in both official languages, and after a five year struggle, he was successful at both the Federal Court of Canada, and the Federal Court of Appeals.
He was a member of the New Brunswick Historical Society, and of the Federal Superannuation Association. He enjoyed reading (especially biographies), music, travel, golf, and watching old movies. Above all, he loved his family, supported each member equally, and became a child again whenever his grandchildren visited. He had unique relationships with each family member, all of them special in their own way.
He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Theresia (Fiand), sister Mary O’Keefe, four children, Barbara (Rod Allen), Moncton, Kevin (Linda Kirby), Halifax, Mary (Michael O’Neill), Rothesay, Emily (Jeff Kaizer), Halifax, and nine grandchildren, Hannah and Tess (Allen), Ben, Gillian and Marley (O’Neill), Madison, Sydney and Kennedy (Quigley), and Bridget (Kaizer). He was predeceased by his mother Emily and his father George, as well as five siblings, Patrick Quigley, Margaret Lundy, Catherine Pitt, Rita Polchies, and Anne Craig.
At his request, there will be no visitation prior to the memorial service. No bouquets are necessary, (unless you’re talking about him!). A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, February 20th at 11 a.m. at Frenette Funeral and Cremation Centre, 88 Church Street, Moncton, (506) 858-1900, followed by a visit and reception with family and friends.
Donations in his memory would be appreciated to L’Arche Saint John (serving people with and without intellectual disabilities), to the Friends of the Moncton Hospital or the Fondation CHU Dumont Foundation, or to the Alzheimer Society of Canada.
As Lou would say: TTSP (This too shall pass) and Ich liebe dich!
Words of comfort and donations can be made at www.frenettefuneralhome.com.
