Timothy Quinn

Timothy G. Quinn, of Old Mission Peninsula, died on May 11, 2025 at the age of 78. He was born on February 7, 1947 in Mt. Clemens, Michigan to Richard and Lucy (Resico) Quinn.

Tim always considered himself to be “the luckiest boy in the world.” And it truly did seem that the luck of the Irish blessed him at every turn.

Tim grew up on a farm near Romeo, Michigan, with three brothers and six sisters. He loved the farm life and never got it out of his system. He enjoyed playing football and basketball in school, attending St. Clemens of Romeo and Romeo High School. Tim earned a football scholarship to Hillsdale College and then to Eastern Michigan University, where he obtained bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He then earned a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from The University of Michigan.

Tim found his calling in educational leadership. He began his career as an English teacher and football coach at Ypsilanti West Middle School, became an assistant principal/athletic director at Anchor Bay Schools, a principal and assistant superintendent in Napoleon, Michigan, and at the ripe old age of 32, was selected as superintendent of the Green Bay Public Schools in Green Bay, Wisconsin. His mission there was to make public education as important to the community as the Green Bay Packers.

Following a term as Deputy State Superintendent for the State of Wisconsin, Tim became Vice President and then President of Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City. Under his leadership (1989-1996), the college completed fundraising and construction of the Dennos Museum Center, passed the college’s operating millage in perpetuity, established the Commitment Scholarship program, and established the NMC University Center, where thousands of students have since earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

After leaving NMC, Tim went to The University of Michigan, creating the forerunner of Michigan Virtual, which still provides leadership in online learning today. He then started his own business, Michigan Leadership Institute, to focus on development of school superintendents. This led to being engaged by The Broad Foundation to create and manage The Broad Center, preparing leaders for our nation’s largest school districts. The Broad Center has since become an endowed program at Yale University.

Throughout his career, Tim mentored and coached countless future educational leaders. He treasured those relationships, taking great joy in each of their successes.

Tim loved pheasant hunting with his labradors, maple syrup time, and swimming in the bay, having taken a dip in every calendar month of the year. Tim’s greatest joys, however, were his children and grandchildren. He loved watching them grow up to become great human beings and loved watching their countless football, basketball, volleyball, lacrosse, and other games. He loved “Farm Days” on Anam Cara Farm with the grandkids, when they would work side by side with him on various chores – from shoveling manure to picking rocks.

Tim is survived by his wife, partner and best friend Michelle (Shelley) Keith; children Anthony (Kori) Quinn and Emily (Matt Nausadis) Quinn; and grandchildren McMillan, Crandall and Addyson Quinn and Wyatt and Harper Nausadis. He is also survived by siblings Richard (Carol) Quinn, Dennis (Joan) Quinn, Patricia (Dale) Anderson, Susan (Neil) Rowley, Virginia Loague, Loraine (Ron) Harmon, Donna (Jim) Micielli, and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, sisters Kathleen Quick and Mary Margaret Quinn, and brother Tom (Sharon) Quinn, Sr. His former wife and mother of his children, Mary Pierce, also preceded him in death.

An informal gathering and celebration of Tim’s life will take place on Saturday, June 14, 1-3 pm, at the Hagerty Center at Northwestern Michigan College, 715 E. Front Street, Traverse City, MI.

Memorials honoring Tim’s memory may sent to the North Ed Foundation, 880 Parsons Road, Traverse City, MI 49686 or online at https://www.northwested.org/foundation/giving/.

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