HUGHESTOWN — An overwhelmed Martin Quinn, along with his family, stood below the marquee at the Pittston Area Primary Center Saturday morning as the school’s new name was revealed — the Martin F. Quinn Pittston Area Primary Center.
Nearly 70 of Quinn’s family, friends, administration and fellow board members were in attendance to honor him for his dedication to his constituents, faculty, administration and most importantly, the students of Pittston Area.
“I’m overwhelmed with this and I never expected it,” Quinn, 80, of Pittston, said. “You just do your job and the guys (board members) pushed for it and now I have to live up to it. I’m humbled and grateful for the honor of having my name on the primary center.”
Board members voted to honor Quinn, now serving his seventh term as Pittston Area School Board member, by voting to rename the school during a meeting last year. When the vote was cast, it was a unanimous decision with one abstaining vote – Quinn himself.
The ceremony, hosted by Pittston Area Superintendent Kevin Booth, was filled with well wishers such as Dr. Anthony Guariglia, past school board member, state Rep. Michael Carroll, and Quinn’s sons, Mitch and Michael. His son Brian could not attend.
Guariglia was the board member that initiated the motion to name the building in Quinn’s name.
“This school houses our primary grades, therefore, it is the first school a Pittston Area student will enter,” said current Pittston Area School Board member Kent Bratlee. “I’m so happy that each new little Patriot will start at a school named after a man so dedicated to the education of our children.”
Primary center students were on hand to recite the Pledge of Allegiance along and a poem in Quinn’s honor before presenting Quinn’s wife Barbara with a bouquet of flowers.
“My father never expected this, my family never expected it and it’s a great, great honor, but he’s going to credit his team and he’s had a number of team members as he’s gone through this journey on the school board,” Mitch Quinn said. The younger Quinn also thanked his mother for allowing his dad to do the work he did in the district.
Quinn’s son Michael said he is proud of his father’s accomplishments at Pittston Area. “I’m proud of him and proud of every year he’s been on the board,” he said.
Dr. Frank Serino, a former superintendent during Quinn’s time on the board, could not be there but sent in a letter that was read by Booth. Serino offered his congratulations, citing Quinn’s love for the students and district.
At the completion of the ceremony held in the gym, everyone moved outside to the unveiling ceremony where the Quinn family stood underneath the marquee as the drape was dropped.
A reception followed the ceremony.
