Obituary of Martin-S. Quigley

QUIGLEY--Martin S., Writer, editor, publisher, educator, mayor, sailor and spy, died of natural causes at home in West Hartford, CT., February 5, 2011. Born in Chicago on November 24, 1917, he is survived by his wife of 65 years, Katherine Dunphy Quigley, his sister Mary Q. Eller, nine children and their spouses, 27 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Dr. Quigley graduated from Loyola High School in New York City and was first in his class at Georgetown University in 1939, where he founded the Georgetown Sailing Club. He received his M.A. and a Doctorate in Education, from Columbia University almost forty years after his undergraduate degree. During World War II, Martin Quigley was a spy for the United States attached to the Special Intelligence Division of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) engaged in undercover work in Ireland and Italy. While some material concerning his work is still classified nearly 70 years later, he wrote two books about his clandestine activities: A U.S. Spy in Ireland and Peace Without Hiroshima. Quigley spent most of his career leading the motion picture trade publishing company, Quigley Publishing Company, founded by his father in 1915. He started as a reporter for the Motion Picture Daily, became editor of the Motion Picture Herald in 1949, editorial director of all the publications in 1956 and was president from 1964 to 2001. Quigley was chairman of the health education committee of the Will Rogers Institute from 1980 to 1997. As one of the most important figures in motion picture trade journalism, he was the editor or author of five books about movies, including the classic work, Magic Shadows - The History of the Origin of Motion Pictures. From 1977 to 1990, Quigley was an adjunct professor at Baruch College of the City University of New York and Teachers College, Columbia University, where he authored a book on the role played by community colleges in expanding access to higher education. A devout Roman Catholic, Dr. Quigley was very involved in religious and ecumenical matters. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of the American Bible Society since 1964, and was a former chairman of both the Religious Education Association and the Laymen's National Bible Association. A sixty plus year resident of Larchmont, NY, following service as a village trustee in 1980, he was the first Democrat elected mayor since the Great Depression. An avid lifelong sailor, he was a member of the Larchmont Yacht Club and enjoyed sailing with the LYC Cruising Club, even skippering a 42-foot Beneteau at the start of a race four years ago. A long time Rotary Club member, he was given the Paul Harris Distinguished Rotarian Award both in Larchmont and West Hartford. In addition to his wife and sister, he is survived by his children: Dr. Martin Quigley of St. Petersburg, FL, Elin Quigley of Garrett Park, MD, William Quigley of Groton, MA, Kevin Quigley of Arlington, VA, Karen Quigley of Portland, OR, Patricia Quigley of Concord, NH, John Quigley of Cumming, GA, Kate Quigley Lynch of West Hartford, CT and Peter Quigley of Duxbury, MA. The family wishes to extend their deepest thanks and appreciation for the tremendous care and support given by VNA Hospice. Family will receive friends on Thursday from 4-7pm at the Molloy Funeral Home, 906 Farmington Ave., West Hartford, CT. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday at 10am at St. Peter Claver Church, 47 Pleasant St., West Hartford. Online expressions of sympathy may be made at: www.molloyfuneralhome.com