John Quimby

John Miller Quimby (Sr.), 85, passed away on Friday, January 1, 2021 following a brief illness.

John “Jack” was born in Gloversville, NY on November 21, 1935 to the late Charles and Thelma Quimby. He attended Northville and Amsterdam central schools where he played basketball and baseball. He went on to receive a B.A. from the University of Kentucky and a M.A. in Public Administration from the University of Illinois. Jack started his career as a Research Associate for both the Kentucky and Illinois State Legislatures. In 1969, Jack moved to Niskayuna, NY to become an advocate for the NYS Taxpayers working for Citizens Public Expenditure Survey, Inc becoming Vice-President of Research. While at CPES, Jack led the monthly statewide CPES Taxpayer newsletter, as well as numerous press releases, budget analyses and was a lobbyist on Federal, State, and Local fiscal issues. Jack was selected to various NYS commissions regarding financial reporting including the development of the GAAP accounting system for NYS. During this time he spent two years as chairman of the NYS Coalition for Legislative Reform representing organizations across NYS.

In 1976, Jack was a candidate for the NY State Senate - 44th District and won the Primary in an upset win against the incumbent Senator, but his candidacy fell short in the general election. Jack left CPES to work for the NYS School Board Association in the mid-1980s, and in his later years he enjoyed working with students as a substitute teacher in local school districts.

Jack had a passion for research, writing, politics and athletics. His passion led him to publish five books. As a lifelong Kentucky Wildcat Basketball fan he published “Fab Fifty – A Kentucky Fan over Fifty Years” as well as books on Teddy Roosevelt and the Civil War. In his later years, Jack was hampered by health issues, but according to his aids he relished any opportunity to hear about or talk about his sons and grandchildren’s accomplishments.

He is predeceased by his brother, Charles, as well as his parents. He is survived by his sister Jean St. John of Bangor ME; his sons John (Ellen) of Clifton Park, NY, James (Lisa) of Guilderland, NY, Jeffrey (Tiffany) of Lilburn GA, Jay (Sherry) of Tupelo MS; grandchildren Allison (John), Michelle (Alan), Garrett, Cara, Marissa, Connor, Haley, Emily; and great-grand daughter Averie.

A graveside service will be held for Jack at Jonesville Cemetery located in Saratoga County at a later date and a safer time to gather.

In lieu of flowers, his family suggests contributions be made in Jack’s memory to the American Diabetes Association or a charity of your choice.