Obituary of Michael Quigley

Michael J. Quigley, III, 76, of Jackson Township, passed away on Wednesday, November 23, 2016 at home after a long illness. Born in Newark, he was raised in Maplewood, and had lived in Chester and Far Hills before settling in Jackson Township. After graduating from Seton Hall University, Class of 1962, he joined the family insurance agency, McCormick & Schaedel Co. Michael graduated from Seton Hall Law School in 1980 and was admitted to the New Jersey Bar the same year. He became a Judicial Clerk to the late Hon. Jacques H. Gascoyne, in the Superior Court of New Jersey in Morris County. After a year in the clerkship, he joined the Somerville law firm of Golden, Lintner, Rothschild, Spangnola and Di Fazio. He became a partner in that firm in 1985. He served as the Municipal Prosecutor for the Township of Green Brook. Shortly after becoming partner, he left the law to become CEO of First DeWitt S & L Association. He later changed it to a bank and took it public under the Holding Company First State Financial Services, Inc. He was Chairman and CEO of both First State and First DeWitt from 1985 to 1997 when the companies were sold to another institution. He then practiced law until 2011 when he retired due to illness. Michael was a retired Lietenant Colonel in the US Army serving during the Vietnam War. He was a graduate of the US Army Armory School, the Transportation School and Army Command and General Staff College. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal and the Army Commendation Medal. Michael became very active with not-for-profit organizations, and served many years as Chairman of the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges, Maplewood, West Essex and Sussex County. He was an honorary life member of the Essex County Chiefs of Police Association. He was a member of the Board of Trustees at Caldwell College and was Vice-Chairman for a time. From 1997 to 2001 he was Chairman of the University Council at Seton Hall University, South Orange. He was a member of the advisory board at Birth Haven, Newton. Michael served as a member of the Board of Visitors at Seton Hall University Law School and was a member of the advisory board of Nazareth Village (a retirement home for priests of the Diocese of Paterson), Chester. He was a life member of Daniel L. McCormick Council #1831 Knights of Columbus. Michael will be missed for his Irish wit, intelligence and integrity, but most of all, for the strength he showed in life despite his serious illness. He was able to endure his illness due to his strong belief in God. He was predeceased by his mother, Jane McCormick Quigley; and his sister, Sara Jane McLaughlin. Michael is survived by his devoted wife of 45 years, Marianne Gunning Quigley; loving daughter, Kristen Donovan and her husband, Drew; precious grandchildren, Brady Michael and Quinn Grace; and many nieces and nephews. A visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524) Freehold Township on Sunday, November 27, 2016 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. Relatives and friends are invited to gather at the funeral home on Monday, November 28, 2016 at 9:00 AM for the procession to his 10:00 AM Funeral Mass at St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church, 61 Georgia Road, Freehold Township. Interment will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover. For those who desire, memorial contributions in Michael's memory may be made to the Pulmonary Hypertension Association, 801 Roeder Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910. For information, directions or condolence messages to the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com.