Obituary for Bernard A. "John" Quinton Sr.
Bernard Alfonzo Quinton, Sr. was born on October 9, 1939, in San Domingo, Maryland to the late George B. Quinton and the late Mary Louise (Stanley) Quinton. He was affectionately referred to as “Johnny Cake” by his paternal grandmother because of his love for her Johnny Cake biscuits and thus, the name “John.” John was a member of Zion United Methodist Church until his death on April 1, 2023. He passed after a brief illness due to chronic health challenges at Tidal Health in Salisbury, Maryland.
John was the oldest of eight children, Barbara Ann Quinton, MD, DD, MDIV; Alma “Bonnie” Quinton Hackett; Newell “Sky” Quinton; Mary “Susie” Quinton Jones; Bernadette Quinton Cannady; Peggy Quinton Hughes; and Allen “Buddy” Quinton, Sr. John graduated from Salisbury High School in Salisbury, Maryland in 1958. Immediately after high school, he attended Morgan State College in Baltimore, Maryland. At Morgan, he met and later married Doris Jean Perry on July 11, 1959. From this marriage three children were born, Bernard Alfonzo Quinton, Jr. “Bunny” (deceased), Sylvia Louise Quinton, Esq., EdD, and Jon Newell Quinton. One unnamed female child died before birth.
On December 12, 1961, John entered the United States Army where he served for two years. He was stationed in Fort Knox, Kentucky, and served as a medical specialist at Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) in Fort Sam Houston, Texas. He was honorably discharged on December 11, 1963.
After his tour of duty, John returned to Saint Elizabeths Hospital in Washington, DC, where he was employed in the nursing industry from 1959 to 1987. John retired from Saint Elizabeths Hospital as a Supervisory Psychiatric Nurse. During his employment at Saint Elizabeths Hospital, he returned to school to complete his college degree. On June 11, 1976, he graduated from the University of the District of Columbia (formerly Washington Technical Institute) with a degree in Nursing Technology. He became a Registered Nurse on September 29, 1976.
Upon his retirement from federal service on September 23, 1987, John returned home to San Domingo, and parked his Yellow Cab for good. Back home, John became a Gentleman Farmer where he spent time fishing, growing organic watermelons, and raising organic chickens, pigs, and goats, as he did in his youth alongside his parents. Though officially retired, John continued his Nursing career, working at the Eastern Shore Correctional Facility (MD) and Georgetown Correctional Facility (DE) as a Charge Nurse until mid-April 2013.
Life happens and John married his second wife Geraldine “Dena” Francis Alexander (deceased) in the mid-1970’s. Mr. Bernard, as he was affectionately called, and Dena raised her 6 kids, Leroy, Deana, Tyrone, Leo, Michael, and Allen in Southeast Washington, DC. In 2001, Dena and Mr. Bernard legally adopted Dena’s granddaughter, Jermirah Quinton Alexander and raised her as their own.
John was predeceased by his first wife, Doris; his second wife Dena; and oldest son, Bunny. He is survived by his three children, Sylvia, Jon, and Jermirah; 6 other children; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, siblings, and friends too many people to name.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the George B. Quinton Scholarship Fund.
John was the oldest of eight children, Barbara Ann Quinton, MD, DD, MDIV; Alma “Bonnie” Quinton Hackett; Newell “Sky” Quinton; Mary “Susie” Quinton Jones; Bernadette Quinton Cannady; Peggy Quinton Hughes; and Allen “Buddy” Quinton, Sr. John graduated from Salisbury High School in Salisbury, Maryland in 1958. Immediately after high school, he attended Morgan State College in Baltimore, Maryland. At Morgan, he met and later married Doris Jean Perry on July 11, 1959. From this marriage three children were born, Bernard Alfonzo Quinton, Jr. “Bunny” (deceased), Sylvia Louise Quinton, Esq., EdD, and Jon Newell Quinton. One unnamed female child died before birth.
On December 12, 1961, John entered the United States Army where he served for two years. He was stationed in Fort Knox, Kentucky, and served as a medical specialist at Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) in Fort Sam Houston, Texas. He was honorably discharged on December 11, 1963.
After his tour of duty, John returned to Saint Elizabeths Hospital in Washington, DC, where he was employed in the nursing industry from 1959 to 1987. John retired from Saint Elizabeths Hospital as a Supervisory Psychiatric Nurse. During his employment at Saint Elizabeths Hospital, he returned to school to complete his college degree. On June 11, 1976, he graduated from the University of the District of Columbia (formerly Washington Technical Institute) with a degree in Nursing Technology. He became a Registered Nurse on September 29, 1976.
Upon his retirement from federal service on September 23, 1987, John returned home to San Domingo, and parked his Yellow Cab for good. Back home, John became a Gentleman Farmer where he spent time fishing, growing organic watermelons, and raising organic chickens, pigs, and goats, as he did in his youth alongside his parents. Though officially retired, John continued his Nursing career, working at the Eastern Shore Correctional Facility (MD) and Georgetown Correctional Facility (DE) as a Charge Nurse until mid-April 2013.
Life happens and John married his second wife Geraldine “Dena” Francis Alexander (deceased) in the mid-1970’s. Mr. Bernard, as he was affectionately called, and Dena raised her 6 kids, Leroy, Deana, Tyrone, Leo, Michael, and Allen in Southeast Washington, DC. In 2001, Dena and Mr. Bernard legally adopted Dena’s granddaughter, Jermirah Quinton Alexander and raised her as their own.
John was predeceased by his first wife, Doris; his second wife Dena; and oldest son, Bunny. He is survived by his three children, Sylvia, Jon, and Jermirah; 6 other children; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, siblings, and friends too many people to name.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the George B. Quinton Scholarship Fund.