Obituary
Quentin Richard Theodore Francis Xavier Unger died peacefully at home March 15, 2017 in Port Orange, Florida.
Just days prior to his death Quentin and his twin sister, Lorayne Boehm together joyously and actively celebrated their 98th birthday with family and friends!
Quentin was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 62 years, Olga Unger, and his oldest son, Christopher Unger. He was father to three cherished sons: Christopher and Nancy (New Smyrna Beach, FL), Timothy and Rene’ (Healdsburg, CA), and Peter and Suzanne (Pinckney, MI). Quentin was also the proud grandfather to three grandchildren: Joshua, Wesley and Anna-Elaine.
Quentin was valedictorian graduating 1st in his class at the age of 16 from Patchhogue, NY High School (1935). He completed 2 years at Ohio University before returning home to work at Pilgrim State Hospital (1937-41) in Brentwood, New York to help his family make ends meet.
At 21, Quentin enlisted in the 14th Infantry National Guard in NYC. On February 1, 1941 Quentin was sent to Ft. Ethan Allan, Vermont joining the 771st Tank Destroyer Battalion.
As a Private, Quentin was quickly twice promoted and on July 1, 1942 was sent to Officer Candidate School at Edgewood Arsenal, Baltimore. He was promoted again and assigned to the Chemical Corps.
Ranked in the top 50 of his OCS graduating class Quentin choose his next assignment. He elected the 3rd Chemical Mortar Battalion, Fort Bliss, Texas on November 14, 1942, and was its last surviving member.
Quentin was assigned to D Company and “shipped-out” April 29, 1943 aboard the S.S. Orizaba arriving North Africa.
From that point Quentin’s life would never be the same because as he said, “WWII Army life was a persistent and masterful teacher who forced its students to develop and hone abilities they thought they never had and which would benefit them throughout life.”
With continued promotions within the 3rd Chemical Mortar Battalion, Quentin supported many of the major European Army Campaigns including: North Africa, Sicily Naples-Foggia, Rome-Arno, Rhineland-Ardennes(Battle of the Bulge), Germany, Holland, Luxemburg, Poland, and, the Liberation of Paris.
During his Army service Quentin received the: French Croix de Guerre, the Silver Star, the Bronze Star along with 9 Campaign Stars, 2 Invasion Arrows, 2 Commendations, and a Purple Heart.
On September 11, 1945 Quentin finally returned to his revered United States of America.
On November 23, 1945 Quentin married the light of his life, Olga Bondar with whom he had been classmates since the 10th grade.
With Quentin’s life long love of athletics he continued with his education graduating from Springfield College (MA) 1947 with a Bachelors in Health and Physical Education, and a Masters in Health Rehabilitation, and continued studies at Yale University.
Following graduation he and Olga moved to Maine where he joined the Westbrook School System advancing into the State’s Administration and ultimately supporting Maine Governors Musky and Reed, as the Director of Health & Physical Education.
In 1964 Quentin and Olga moved their family to North Caldwell, New Jersey where he became the Director of Health, Physical Education and Athletics at his beloved West Essex Regional High School. In 1982 he and Olga retired to Ocala, Florida. In 2006 they relocated to Port Orange, Florida and Assisted Living (ALF).
During the recent past, Quentin enjoyed and benefitted from having a number of very special people in his life who provided him private care and and friendship. Most particularly Jacquie, Sophie, Marty, Josie, Haley, and his very special Angie.
Quentin was a very social person. At every meal would greet his fellow ALF residents in the dining room addressing them by name and always finishing by shaking hands with “The Professor”. He was a terrific card player (Bridge and Cribbage) and enjoyed his daily newspaper, his Time magazine, and of course, ESPN. Often after morning exercise class and other events he could be heard announcing the exact time… “8:25pm and all is well!”
The family asks in lieu of flowers, a memorial donation be made to the Quentin R. Unger ’47 Springfield Scholarship Fund, Springfield College Gift Records, 263 Alden Street, Springfield, MA 01109.
THIS DIFFICULT TIME. TIM, YOU CERTAINLY WERE A SOURCE OF
GREAT PRIDE FOR YOUR WONDERFUL FATHER…NO SON COULD
HAVE DONE MORE OR MEANT MORE TO A PROUD FATHER!!!
CAMERYN/MARTY/CRAIG AND I SEND YOU OUR LOVE