Don Haakinson
1945 – February 25, 2024
Died peacefully on February 25, 2024. Preceded in death by parents Skip and Shirley, sister Mary Lou Larson; and brother Ed. Survived by loving wife of 50+ years Fay, siblings Shirley Gerlach, Marge (Dave) Galles, Dan (Bonnie), Kitty (Bill) Stromberg and Mark; sister-in-law Lona (Kent) Ruhr. Was “Unc. Don” to many nieces and nephews. His great sense of humor will be missed by all.
Richard Root
1945 – March 19, 2024
Richard Edward Root, a beloved husband, father, brother, and friend, passed away on March 19, 2024, at the age of 78.
Rich was a St. Paul, MN native who grew up in the neighborhood of West Seventh Street and graduated from Cretin High School. He married Carol Marie Mack, another St. Paul native, in 1966 and had two daughters, Donna and Anne. Rich and Carol partnered to put Rich through the Civil Engineering program at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, where Rich received a bachelor’s degree in 1968 and then a master’s degree in 1970.
The young family first moved to Maryland in 1971 when Rich started work with The Asphalt Institute as a research engineer. They then relocated to Ohio in 1974 when Rich transferred to the Columbus office of The Asphalt Institute, as a District Engineer. Finally, the family settled in Libertyville, IL where Rich worked first as a Vice President and then President/Owner of the Chicago Testing Laboratory and continued to grow his career as an international expert in asphalt pavements and as a developer of industry testing standards and procedures. Through the Lab, he taught mix design methodology to hundreds of Department of Transportation and contractor personnel around the United States. Rich authored many industry articles, volunteered with many industry associations and served as the president of the Association of Asphalt Paving Technologists in 1985. After “retirement” Rich continued his career as an expert legal consultant on pavement designs.
While on vacation in Scottsdale, Arizona, Rich and Carol found a beautiful lot and began work to design their dream home in the Sonoran Desert. Rich used early CAD capabilities to architect and develop the plans for the home which they then built and have enjoyed for close to thirty years. As his children and grandchildren began settling in Minnesota. Rich took on his second home design project on Lake Minnetonka, creating a summer hub for family gathering and lake fun. Rich gained renown among his grandchildren as an excellent boat driver for tubing outings, epic kayak adventures, fishing contests and Friday-night pizza on the dock.
Throughout his life, Rich was very active in sports. He was an avid runner, cyclist, and softball player. His sporting exploits and competitive nature became part of family lore, from bicycling awards, golf tournaments, and Senior Olympics, to two sprained ankles in one volleyball game, to cycling camp in the Rockies for his 50th birthday, to organizing and playing for senior competitive softball teams.
Rich enjoyed traveling and being with his family. He was always organizing trips, whether for softball tournaments, family birthdays, tours of National Parks, hiking the Grand Canyon, or road tripping across the United States. Rich and Carol made many trips to New Zealand and Australia – with his brother Robb and sister-in-law Kay being their frequent traveling companions.
Rich leaves behind his wife Carol, two daughters, four grandchildren and two great grandchildren as well as his two brothers. He will continue to be remembered through their love. The family is planning a private ceremony and in lieu of flowers – please consider a donation to the Special Olympics to support continuing opportunities for children and adults to experience the joy of sports and friendship.
Stephen Timothy Quigley, Jr.
September 22, 1945 – March 15, 2024
Stephen Timothy Quigley, Jr. died March 15, 2024 at the age of 78 after a long illness. Known to all as “Tim”, he was a beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle, son, & friend. His life was defined by his commitment to his family, community, and country.
Born September 22, 1945 in Wabasha, Minnesota to Stephen T. Quigley, Sr. & Catherine Langdon Foley, Tim’s community involvement began early when he earned the Eagle Scout award in 1959. He attended Cretin High School in St. Paul where he completed the junior Reserve Officer Training Corps program and received a nomination to the U.S. Naval Academy from Minnesota Senator Hubert Humphrey.
After graduating in 1967, Tim embarked on a nearly 30-year Naval career. He was certified as a P3 pilot and conducted surveillance operations around the Pacific Rim as a member of several patrol squadrons, including VP-1, VP-50, and VP-47. With VP-1, he served three combat tours during the Vietnam War. It was as a young pilot that Tim first found his way to San Jose, the city that would become his adopted hometown for nearly half a century.
His senior military leadership roles included squadron commander for VP-47, Executive Assistant to the Commander-in-Chief of NATO Forces Southern Europe and Naval Forces Europe, Commanding Officer at Moffett Field Naval Air Station, and Director of Strategic Planning and Policy for the Department of the Navy. Along with numerous military honors, Tim completed an executive management certification course from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard and served as course president for the NATO Defense College in Rome. After retiring from the Navy at the rank of Captain in 1994, Tim returned to San Jose to embark on the next semester of his life.
As a corporate and non-profit executive, Tim served as President and CEO of the Silicon Valley Defense/Space Consortium, Managing Director & CEO of the Silicon Valley Global Trading Center, Executive Director of the Volunteer Center of Silicon Valley, and Program Director of Green Challenge California. He later served as Chairman and CEO of Azores TV and NPG Multimedia. In addition to his business interests, Tim maintained active community involvement by volunteering as a board member for the San Jose Symphony and the San Jose Police Foundation, and was a member of the Rotary Club of San Jose. A regular presence at San Jose City Council meetings and other government and community events, Tim was a respected civic leader with seemingly inexhaustible energy.
He developed a passion for citizen diplomacy between nations as a way to foster peace through economic, social, and cultural connections. Tim’s first and longest lasting role was on the board of the San Jose/Dublin Sister City Program where he led efforts to create the Pat McMahon Masters Level Scholarship program. Established in 2012, the McMahon scholarship provides an academic exchange internship for students at San Jose State University and Dublin City University. Tim grew his involvement in citizen diplomacy by serving as Board Chair of Sister Cities International and President of the Sister Cities International Foundation, which he helped to create. He was honored for his work with the Spirit of Ireland Award from the San Jose/Dublin Sister City Program, and the Foreign Minister’s Commendation from the Consul General of Japan in San Francisco.
A fourth generation Irish American, Tim cherished his heritage and the strong sense of family that his large Irish clan instilled in him. Outgoing, friendly, and optimistic, he saw the common humanity of people he met and befriended around the world. He enjoyed big family reunions and weddings, ski trips to Lake Tahoe with his children, and his annual “Christmas in the Park” family holiday celebration. Though he accomplished a great deal, he always maintained that his greatest pride came from his family.
Tim is survived by his partner of more than 20 years, Tsuyoshi Hashimoto of Kumamoto, Japan; daughter Ashley Jardine of Oakland, CA; sons Aaron (Jenny) of San Jose, CA; Nathan (Corinne) of San Francisco, CA; and Joshua (Tracy Gondo) of Oakland, CA; siblings Cathy (Ray) Wicks of Woodbury, MN; Mary (John) Stevens of Marshalltown, IA; Eileen of Silver Spring, MD; Kevin (Camie) of South St. Paul, MN; John of Eagle Rock, CA; seven grandchildren and one great-grandson. He was previously married to Mary Lynn Ashburn of Sonora, CA.
James B. Mollner
1945 – April 16, 2024
Son of Gertrude & Carl Mollner, Jim died peacefully at home on April 16, 2024 with his loving wife &children by his side. Preceded in death by his parents; brother Raymond; uncles Bernie & Rudy; aunt Eleanor; uncle/aunt Don & Betty Colburn.
Survived by wife Mary; children Gail (Chris Stevens), Mike, Jill, Molly; grandson Carl; sister-in-law Patty (Ray’s wife); sisters Carol, Joanne (Terrill) Katz, Kathy; brothers Bob & Dan (Leslie); & extended family of dear nieces, nephews, cousins & friends. A lifelong resident of the West 7th St. area of St. Paul, Jim was a faithful servant of St. Francis de Sales Church of St. Paul & St. Francis de Sales Casinos Mens’ Group. Graduate of Cretin Class of ’63. Retired employee of Burlington Northern, Inc.
Jack Erdman (Jack Jay Morrison)
September 8, 1945 – June 2, 2024
No other details available
Richard A. Closmore
June 22, 1945 – July 31, 2024
MADISON – Richard Alfred “Rick” Closmore, 79, recently of Madison, Wis., and formerly of Wesley Chapel, Fla., passed away on July 31, 2024, after a short battle with Glioblastoma. He is survived by his wife, Amy; brother, Ron and Linda Closmore; and nieces, Erin and Lisa; daughter, Seacret Alexander; granddaughters, Savannah and Grace; newly born great-grandson, Mychal Deshawn; and numerous nieces and nephews. A loveable curmudgeon with cool tattoos, he is already missed by his family and friends.
Never one to conform to the idea of societal expectations of how one’s life “should” be lived, Rick was an independent thinker who constantly questioned authority and the status quo. This manifested in a deeply fulfilling life full of rich experiences and adventures, both good and bad.
Born in 1945 in Spartanburg, S.C., where his father was in the Armed Forces. His parents moved home to St. Paul, Minn., after the war in 1945. Rick grew up in the Twin Cities, tried college, and decided exploring the country was a better option. He found his way to Fort Lauderdale in 1969, where he found work as a hospital lab technician. A colleague gave him an interesting book on nuclear medicine that Rick absorbed and eventually parlayed into a job in the evolving field. He met Amy in 1983 and the two were friends for five years. They bought a sailboat in 1988, married in 1989 and left in 1990 to explore the Caribbean.
Rick’s biggest passion was sailing. After learning to sail on several trips around the Caribbean with a friend, he bought his own boat, the Namaste, in 1988, and enlisted Amy to help fix it up. Once the Namaste was ready, they spent the next 12 years exploring the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, and both the British and American Virgin Islands, alternating stints on land to work and save up money with sea trips of up to 18 months. His prowess as a spear fisher and diver kept them well-fed; sometimes there was even “too much” lobster. Family members happily spent hours listening to Rick’s stories of navigating pre-GPS, weathering storms, and marveling at beautiful beaches and Caribbean sunsets.
The Closmores moved to the St. Petersburg, Fla. marina in 1992, which they continued to use as base for sailing expeditions until they moved inland within St. Petersburg in 2002. Here they exchanged the boat for motorcycles. Eventually they moved to Wesley Chapel in 2005 and Rick retired from his job as a Nuclear Medical Technician in 2010.
Being on dry land never tamed Rick’s sense of adventure or curiosity about the world. Rick and Amy rode motorcycles throughout Florida, the Midwest, and Western states. After selling the motorcycles, they took road trips around the United States, including to Wisconsin and Northern Minnesota (in the summer), the Southwest, or wherever the urge took them. They flew to Costa Rica, Japan, and Hawaii. He read voraciously and was always ready for a thoughtful conversation with anyone who could keep up. He applied his intellectual curiosity to understanding the stock market and became an astute day trader and investor, setting up an elaborate monitoring system that achieved consistent returns.
An avid guitar player, Rick loved music, especially jazz, rock, and blues, and when he couldn’t get to a live show, would watch videos of his favorite bands and performers for hours. He also loved art and filled his home with paintings, sculptures, prints, and drawings from his travels. His passions and approach to life continue to inspire how those around him see the world.
Rick delighted in sharing his interests with his nieces and nephews. Initially not really a “kids” person, he treasured these relationships and enjoyed talking about music, books, art, politics, and philosophy, or just shooting the breeze with them as they grew up.
While his final battle with Glioblastoma took away all that he physically loved to engage in, including the occasional cigar on the deck and bike riding around Madison in the summer, one of the things he was most saddened by was the loss of time he would have to spend with his daughter, Seacret, granddaughters, and great-grandson. He was very thankful for the growth in his relationship with Seacret in recent years and considered himself lucky to have had an opportunity to make up for lost time.
Patrick Aloysius Keenan
September 10, 1945 – August 19, 2024
Was born to Charles and Margaret (Gallivan) Keenan on September 10, 1945, in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
He was raised in a busy household with six older brothers (Joseph, Richard, Michael, John, Thomas, and Charles) and one very patient older sister (Mary Margaret). While few stories regarding the Keenans in this era can be corroborated, they are numerous. Upon turning eight, Patrick joined his brothers as a caddy at Town & Country Golf Club. In 1963 Patrick graduated from Cretin high school and began his studies at the University of Minnesota. A generous caddy scholarship from the Evans Scholars supported his undergraduate and medical education. During his training Patrick first spent time in South Africa, where he would ultimately spend 3 years in practice.
Later he joined Columbia Park Medical Group in the Twin Cities.
There he practiced Family Medicine for 24 years. During those years he returned to South Africa, India and other countries to contribute his talents to the developing world.
Patrick met the love of his life, Rebecca in 1977 and they wed in 1978. They raised three sons, Joseph, Andrew, and Peter, who kept them busy with sports, school, outdoor fun, and adventures both far afield and close to home. In 1998 Patrick joined the North Memorial Family Medicine program as faculty, and found joy in teaching future physicians, caring for the people of North Minneapolis, and leading research on access to HIV outreach and testing. In retirement Patrick continued his passions in the great outdoors; hunting, fishing, golfing, and traveling with Rebecca.
He also delighted in spending time with his daughters-in-law Sara (Peter), Sierra (Andrew), Anne (Joseph), and grandchildren, Conall, Charlie, Rosie, Carys, Paddy, Margaret, Jane, and Andy.
A long struggle with Parkinson’s slowed Patrick down, but with Rebecca’s patience and care he remained a dynamo until his final days. A private memorial was held at his favorite place, Bullmoose cabin.