Donald Quinn

Donald “Don” J. Quinn, Jr., 85 passed from this life on Tuesday, November 10, 2020 at Mercy Hospice in Johnston, IA. He was born on September 16, 1935 in Des Moines, IA, the oldest of nine to Donald J., Sr., and Mabel (Burnett) Quinn. Don grew up in Highland Park, attended All Saints Elementary School and graduated from Dowling High School in 1953. On November 13, 1954 he married Rosemary “Rosie” Caligiuri. They were blessed with eight children, Kathy, Kelly, Dennis, Mike, Gary, Missy, Sean and Angie. Don spent many years in sales before he was given the chance to fulfill his dream of owning Helen & Pat’s Restaurant in 1979. People would drive miles to enjoy some cavatelli and conversation with Don. He loved his family and his Irish heritage. That was very evident every St. Patrick’s Day when surrounded by family he would dish up some of the best corned beef and cabbage to hundreds. If you shared an Irish whiskey and a story with Don, you were a friend for life. In his free time, he enjoyed being with family, fishing and traveling with Rosie. He belonged to Izaak Walton League, Knights of Columbus and Ancient Order of Hibernians. Don was a kind, generous man who was a stranger to no one. He is survived by his wife of 66 years Rosemary Quinn of Urbandale, seven children, Kelly Quinn, of Kuwait, Dennis Quinn, of Runnells, Mike (Lori) Quinn of Des Moines, Gary (Courtney) Quinn of Germantown, WI, Missy (Travis) Dehut, of Johnston, Sean of Des Moines and Angie of West Des Moines, and 18 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Don was preceded in death by his daughter Kathy Sonntag, parents Don and Mabel Quinn and brother Jim Quinn. The family has respectfully requested any memorial contributions be made in his name to either Dowling Catholic High School or St. John’s Basilica.