John F. Quinn

Category
2004
About This Inductee

John Francis Quinn played football, basketball and baseball at Wilkes-Barre Township High School. He went on to start as a lineman on the football team and a catcher on the baseball team at East Stroudsburg State Teachers College as a 17 year old freshman. While playing both sports for four years, he also boxed and wrestled for one year. For two of those years, while playing for East Stroudsburg on Saturdays, he also played semi-pro football on Sundays for a Wilkes-Barre pro team under an alias because he needed the money during the depression. He also played semi pro baseball for various teams as a catcher. John taught 42 years at Wilkes-Barre Township High School, where he coached varsity basketball for 25 years. His teams were a powerhouse, with a winning streak of 10 straight years despite always playing against much larger schools. They won the championship in 1938 and 1946. He also coached football and baseball. He was athletic director at the Georgetown Settlement House and activities director at their camp. Known simply as “Coach” in his hometown, John also volunteered as a baseball umpire and basketball referee for many years. He ran the American Legion basketball program for the entire Wyoming Valley and coached the Settlement House boxing program. John passed away in 1978. He was married to the former Eleanor Ann Flaherty, also deceased. They have three children, Suzanne Cosgrove, John R. and Patricia. John and Eleanor are also survived by 8 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.