Wednesday, July 13, 2016

PVT James Thomas Quirk

PVT James Thomas Quirk was born 24 Feb 1910 in Springfield, Massachusetts. He was the 3rd of 4 children born to Thomas Michael and Jennie Loretta (Burke). His father was working as a collector for a "credit house" when he was born but by 1916 was supporting his family working as a janitor. James was able to complete 3 years of high school before entering the workforce.

Love found James and he married Estelle Marie Marcinkiewicz and they lived at 7 Niagara Street in Springfield. The couple had a daughter in October 1934. In 1940, James was working as a cutter for a clothing manufacturer and reported a 1939 income of $1940 and rented their house at 236 Mill Street in Springfield for $300 a year.

James was working in metal fabrication when he was drafted in November 1943. After his basic combat training he was sent to Europe and probably arrived in England just after the invasion of occupied France. PVT Quirk was transferred from the replacement depot to B Company 116th Infantry on 5 Jul 1944. He was wounded on 11 Jul 1944 in the drive to capture Saint Lo and evacuated to hospital where he died of his wound(s) on 13 Jul 1944.

PVT Quirk was buried in the Normandy American Cemetery.

His younger brother John B. Quirk, also served in the Army during WW2. His wife never remarried and remained in Springfield until her passing in 1987. Their daughter married and had 2 sons and James and Estelle have 2 great-grandchildren.

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