Daniel L. McQuillan, Jr., 69, of Mattapoisett died peacefully at home on Monday, August 23, 2021 after a long journey with Atypical Dementia. He was the husband of Maureen (Sullivan) McQuillan.
Dan was born on January 30, 1952 to the late Daniel L. McQuillan, Sr. and Joan (LeClair) McQuillan.
He graduated from Mount Greylock Regional High School where he captained the football and basketball teams and he was awarded a football scholarship to Middlebury College.
Dan is survived by his wife, Maureen, his son Daniel L. McQuillan, III and his wife Lauren Duda McQuillan of Eagle River, AK and his son Padraic J. McQuillan of Mattapoisett, a sister Kayne McQuillan Torman and her husband Shelly of Sarasota, FL and four grandchildren Michelle Comfort, Padraig McQuillan, Isla McQuillan, and Eoin McQuillan, and many loving cousins, nieces, and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents, his daughter Caitlin McQuillan, and his sister Karen McQuillan.
Dan started fishing with his grandfather as a young boy and followed this interest for a career at sea. He was a commercial fisherman for many years on the east coast, Alaska, and Russia. Crews loved him and fish feared him. After fishing, he operated tug boats along the east coast.
He was a recreational aircraft pilot spotting swordfish for the boats, taking his family on trips to the islands, flying his open cockpit biplane inverted over the bay. Dan, a cancer survivor himself, committed to riding the Pan Mass Challenge, a 182 mile 2 day cycling fundraiser for cancer, in honor of his mother in law in 2007. He continued to ride and raise funds for 10 years, completing his final ride with diagnosed dementia.
When he was diagnosed with atypical dementia, Dan responded with grace and humility. He was always interested in any clinical study or trial knowing there was little in it for him but wanting to help others. Unfortunately we all knew that it wasn’t a fight we could win, but yet he fought till the end nonetheless. His brain has been donated to research at Mass General Hospital, so in a way he continues his fight against the disease posthumously.
Thank you to everyone who helped care for him and provide us with much needed assistance.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, October 3, 2021 at 10 am at the Seamen’s Bethel, 15 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Memory Cafe C/O Marion Council on Aging, 465 Mill St., Marion MA 02738 or South Coast VNA Hospice, 200 Mill Rd., Fairhaven, MA 02719. For online guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.
