Obituary of Mike Quinlan

J. Michael "Mike" Quinlan, of Ashburn, VA, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 4, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. Mike was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend whose smile and laugh lit up every room he walked into.  He had a strong faith in God and Mike’s love, kindness, and generosity will never be forgotten.  Mike was the beloved husband of Mary Quinlan for 50 years; loving father of Kara Q. Davis (Jonathan) and Kristen Q. Calder (Vic), and devoted grandfather of Katherine and William Davis, and Allison, Lindsey and Kyle Calder; loving brother of Marilyn Higgins (Larry), Margaret Rogers (James), and Maureen McNamara (James); and caring uncle to many nieces and nephews.

Mike was born on November 2, 1941, to the late Joseph Charles and Harriet Veronica (Gorman) Quinlan in Rockville Centre, New York. He was raised in Hempstead, New York, along with his three sisters. He graduated from Chaminade High School in 1959, received a B.S.S. degree from Fairfield University in 1963, a law degree from Fordham Law School in 1966 and a Master of Law degree from George Washington University in 1970. 

Family always came first for Mike. On May 5, 1973, Mike married the love of his life, Mary. After several moves, the young couple settled in the Washington, D.C. area. Mike and Mary were blessed with two daughters, Kara and Kristen. Mike was a patient and devoted husband and father and his greatest love was his family. He was delighted to welcome his sons-in-law, Jonathan and Vic, to the family and was blessed with his five grandchildren, Allison (18), Kate (16), Lindsey (15), Kyle (13), and Will (13). Being with his family brought him so much joy. He especially loved traveling with them and celebrating their many accomplishments. 

Mike valued his friendships, was a mentor to many in his profession, and served as a Eucharistic Minister at St. Luke's Catholic Church. He also enjoyed following the New York Yankees, politics, and the stock market. He was a kind, humble, and generous man who had the ability to always make those around him feel special. If you were lucky to know him he would always ask about you and your family members each by name.

Mike had an accomplished professional life. He began his career in the U.S. Air Force in 1966, serving as a JAG Corps officer in the Office of Special Investigations and continued to serve as a reservist until he retired from the Air Force in 2002 as a Lieutenant Colonel. 

In 1971, he began his more than 20-year career with the Federal Bureau of Prisons as an Attorney in the department’s central office.  He served as Executive Assistant to the Warden, U.S. Penitentiary, Leavenworth, Kansas, and Regional Counsel for the Northeast Regional Office.  Mike was named Executive Assistant to the Director in 1975, a position he held until 1978, when he was named Superintendent of the Federal Prison Camp, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.  He became Warden at the Federal Correctional Institution, Otisville, New York, in 1980, and transferred to the department's central office as Deputy Assistant Director, Medical and Services Division, in 1985.  He was named Deputy Director in March 1986 and was appointed Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons in July 1987, and served in that capacity until December 1992 when he retired from the Bureau.

Beginning a second career, Mike joined CoreCivic in 1995 as head of the Strategic Planning division.  In 1999, he was appointed President and Chief Operating Officer and served in that leadership role through 2002. He spent the remainder of his career at CoreCivic consulting in various capacities including the quality assurance team and partnership development teams.

Mike earned numerous awards and recognitions during his decades long career.  In 1988, Mike received the Presidential Distinguished Rank Award; in 1991, he received the Presidential Meritorious Rank Award and the Attorney General’s Exceptional Leadership Award; in 1992, he received the National Public Service Award of the National Academy of Public Administration and the American Society of Public Administration, and the President’s Excellence Award from the League of United Latin American Citizens; and in 2003, he received his profession’s highest honor when he was selected for the ER Cass award by the American Correctional Association.

He was deeply loved by his family and friends and will be dearly missed. 

The family would like to thank Maple Grove Memory Care facility and Capital Care Hospice for their care of Mike over the past year.

A funeral mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 11900 Lawyers Road, Reston, Virginia 20191. A private interment will be held at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in Mike’s name. https://www.alz.org