Major Thomas M. Quigley

Maj. Thomas More Quigley, USMC (Ret.), died March 9 in Tucson, Ariz., surrounded by his family. He was 40 and had battled GIST for nine years.

Quigley was born Nov. 11, 1965 in Chicago Hts., Ill. and moved to Tucson with his family in 1969. He attended Salpointe Catholic High School and received his undergraduate degree from the University of Arizona in 1987. A member of the Naval ROTC program, he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps in August 1987.

Promoted to first lieutenant two years later, Quigley served during Desert Shield and in the combat zones of Desert Storm. He finished his Marine Corps career as a major in the Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron.

Following his medical retirement from the Marine Corps, Quigley successfully pursued a civilian career in technology information, going back to school, receiving an MBA degree from the University of Phoenix and serving the people of Pima County as information system and help desk manager through the end of 2005. He found time for fishing trips to the White Mountains with his several brothers, also bringing along his son, Christopher when school allowed.

Quigley is survived by his wife, Sylvia Reid; his son, Christopher Jack; parents, retired judge John M. Quigley and Esther Quigley; a sister, Mary Colette Skowron (Steve), brothers John Michael Jr. (Trudy), Dan (Ane Marie), Christopher, Patrick (Sherie) and Kevin (Julie); 32 first cousins and a very large extended family, including several aunts and uncles.

A Mass was celebrated March 16 at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the Maj. Thomas More Quigley, USMC (Ret) Scholarship Fund. This fund will be used to assist students attending Salpointe Catholic High School. Contributions may be mailed to: Kevin D. Quigley, Quarles & Brady, 2 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85004-2391.