George Richard Quinn, 78, of Newtown, died peacefully December 5, at Bridgeport Hospital, after brief illness. He was born in Yonkers, N.Y., September 14, 1940, the son of the late George D. Quinn and Grace Badolati Quinn.

His wife of 40 years, Kathleen (McIlrath) Quinn; son, Eric R. Quinn, of Newtown; sister, Carole Quinn, of New Canaan; brother-in-law Brian McIlrath and his wife, Mary, of Danbury; brother-in-law Thomas McIlrath of Danbury; and brother-in-law William McIlrath and his wife, Lyn, of Bethel survive him.

Mr Quinn attended schools in New York City and graduated from St Michael’s College in Vermont. Immediately after graduating, he entered the Air Force as a First Lieutenant in 1964 and was discharged with honors as a Captain in 1969, after serving in the United States and Libya.

He then began a career as an instructor in the field of non-destructive testing that lasted almost 50 years. He started with Krautkramer Branson, then as a partner with Hellier Associates, and ended with Sperry Rail Service. Mr Quinn became one of the best-known instructors of ultrasonic and eddy current testing in the country, having taught thousands of individuals in different fields. He was certified Level III in both ultrasonic and eddy current testing with the American Society of Non-destructive Testing. He truly loved what he did and the people he worked with.

Calling hours will be Sunday, December 9, from 2 to 5 pm, at Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, December 10, at 10:30 am, in St Rose of Lima Church, 46 Church Hill Road, Newtown. Interment with military honors will follow at Newtown Village Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Association Inc, PO Box 344, Newtown CT 06470.