Raymond F. Quigley

Raymond Francis Quigley was born at Bethesda Hospital in St. Paul, MN in May 1945. Ray, as he was known, grew up on his parents’ Forest Lake farm where his commitment to hard work and love of the outdoors began. Ray graduated from high school in Forest Lake, MN and attended St. John’s University in Collegeville, MN.

One night, while enjoying music at the Withrow Ballroom in Hugo, MN, he met Barbara. It was love at first sight. After only one dance, they never looked back. Ray and Barb were married for 58 years.

Ray served in the Army and was stationed in South Korea near the DMZ during the Vietnam War. After, Ray came back home and he and Barb settled in Columbus, MN. They welcomed three children: Tony, Shelly and Michael. Ray had a lengthy career with Central Landscaping in Columbus as a construction foreman.

Ray could be found in his yard or shed puttering and working on projects while playing country-western music (and even a little Simon and Garfunkel or the Bee Gees). He was a dedicated father as he attended or coached his children’s numerous sporting activities and also taught them important life skills, such as how to drive a snowmobile, change a tire and put oil in the car.

Ray enjoyed deer hunting, ice fishing, snowmobiling, and spending time in his garden. Also, Ray was a life-long, active parishioner of St. Peter’s Church and volunteered with the Knights of Columbus. He loved his sweets, and made sure the kitchen cookie jar was always full. His children loved it when Ray would do the grocery shopping because the bags came home packed with ice cream and treats.

Ray had a deep sense of patriotism and marched for decades with the Forest Lake Legion’s color guard as a flag bearer in the Forest Lake 4th of July parade. He took this role seriously, yet he could always find his family in the crowd, and would smile and wink at them. As a loving grandfather, Ray always found time for his grandchildren to “help” him with projects around the home and yard.

At the end of the day, Ray could be found in his recliner reading his paper or watching the news or the TV show, M*A*S*H.

His last few months were spent at Suite Living Senior Care in Forest Lake, whose land was footsteps away from his childhood farm. There, Ray kept busy fixing loose chairs, listening to his music and having desserts after every lunch and dinner.

Ray passed away peacefully on September 27th, 2026.

Ray is preceded in death by parents Frank and Anna Quigley, brothers Richard Quigley and Kenny Quigley.

Ray is survived by his wife Barb, children Tony (Dawn) Quigley, Shelly (Frank) Piranio and Michael (Kerstin) Quigley; grandchildren Maria, Gabrielle, Isabella, Salvatore, Heather, Kaitlyn and Michael; brother Donald (Bonnie); in-laws Eileen Quigley, Annita Quigley, Janet Thorp and Don Naples, Richard and Margie Thorp, Lynn and Mark Brunner, Val Thorp and Doug Grey, Alita Thorp and Steve Hansman, David and Connie Thorp. Ray also is survived by numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Ray at 11:00am on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at the Church of Saint Peter, 1250 S Shore Dr, Forest Lake, MN 55025. The family will greet friends one hour prior to mass at the church. Interment at Calvary Cemetery, Forest Lake, Minnesota. A reception will follow in St. Peter’s Hall.