Quin John Barrett, 92, of Evanston, passed away on January 7, 2026. He was born on July 11, 1933, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Milwaukee, WI. Quin grew up in Whitefish Bay, WI, the youngest of three sons of proud Italian parents. He attended St. Monica School and Whitefish Bay High School. He then enrolled in Marquette University, where he was a member of Alpha Kappa Psi fraternity, and graduated with a degree in Business Administration in 1955.

Quin proudly served his country in the U.S. Army, spending two years stationed in West Germany. He began his career in labor relations at General Motors’s AC Sparkplug division, which later became AC-Delco. He met a fellow employee, Doris Hein, and, well, one thing led to another. In 1960, Quin married Doris, the love of his life, beginning a remarkable 65-year partnership rooted in love, loyalty, and shared adventure. In 1972, Quin took over and successfully ran her family’s business, Hein/Bakers Equipment Corp., until his retirement. During that time, he and Doris also created and operated Doc’s Bread Haus for four years, schooling their daughters in effective retail strategies while showcasing bakery equipment to potential customers.

Together, Quin and Doris created a home filled with song, theatrics, high expectations, and five adored children: John Quin Barrett (Sarah Walzer), Julie Froman, MarySue Barrett, Karen Girolami Callam (Kirby Callam), and David Quin Barrett. Quin was a loving grandfather to nine grandchildren—Joseph Walzer Barrett, Katya Walzer Barrett, Benjamin Quin Froman, Jacob Barrett Kayser, Cassandra Barrett Kayser, Triana Girolami Callam, Santiago Girolami Callam, Gemma Girolami Callam, and Quinto Davis Barrett—and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents, Quinto Girolami, an immigrant from Fanna, Italy, and Melva (Lunardi), from Iowa, and by his brothers Roland Girolami (Nina) and Victor Girolami (Gale).

Quin was an accomplished captain of both motor and sail boats, the Que-Tee, The Big Deal, and Quintessence, launching his family into decades of unforgettable summers in and around both Milwaukee’s South Shore Yacht Club as well as Door County, WI. During long stays at Anderson Dock in Ephraim, WI, the family made lasting friendships, went on many Great Lakes voyages, and ate thousands of Wilson’s ice cream cones.

After many happy years raising the family in Wauwatosa, WI, Quin and Doris spent 25 retirement years in Naples, FL, and Sturgeon Bay, WI, enjoying the sunshine and dear friends in both locales. In 2024, they moved to The Merion in Evanston, IL.

Quin, joking after every sailing trip that he had “cheated death one more time,” was as solid and trustworthy as they come, and effortlessly at ease with everyone he met. He was a beloved father, uncle, and grandfather, known for his great storytelling, his clever humor, his grinning laughter, “and so forth” (another frequent expression).

While Quin disliked kale, garlic, mustard, and his daughters’ singing at the dinner table, he loved and pursued numerous passions right up until the end. He enjoyed decades of poker club with his fraternity brothers (the pals more than the games). He was a legendary tennis player, a savvy golfer, a sneaky ping-pong player, a wily pickleball competitor, a serious stock trader, a devoted Packers fan, and a loyal parishioner. In retirement, Quin also became a prolific watercolor painter, capturing many Door County and Florida Gulf Coast landscapes as well as scenes from his favorite Italian cities. His crowning glory was taking flying lessons at the young age of 80 and even soloing a few times. He savored another long-lasting passion on his last day in the form of some creamy Culver’s caramel pecan custard.

Quin will live on through acts of kindness, sparks of curiosity, and waves of optimism in his family, friends, and every person whose life he touched.

A celebration of Quin’s life will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2026 at St. Nicholas Church, 806 Ridge Ave., Evanston, IL: Visitation at 10:00 am; Memorial Mass at 11:30 am; buffet lunch in Oldershaw Hall (church social hall) to follow. 

If you would like to honor Quin, here are four organizations that were important to him: 

• Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI https://give.marquette.edu/ways-to-give-marquette 

• Door County Community Foundation, Sturgeon Bay, WI https://doorcountycommunityfoundation.org/donate/ 

• St. Matthew House, Naples, FL https://stmatthewshouse.org/how-you-can-help/donate-financially/ 

• St. John XXIII Parish at St. Nicholas Church, Evanston, IL https://www.stjohn23evanston.org/

 

 Interment private. Arrangements entrusted to Evanston Funeral & Cremation, Roland F. Weis director. Info 847 866-8843, condolence and guestbook at evanstonfuneral.com