Quinn Martin Fatherley, 58, passed away unexpectedly on July 13, 2025, at home in San Ramon, California.
He was a loving husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and cousin who will be deeply missed by all who benefited from his gracious spirit.
Quinn Fatherley, 58, passed away on July 13. In this photo, he’s is standing alongside a tribute to Stephen Tyng Mather (1867-1930), the first director of the U.S. National Park Service, a Darien resident, and Quinn’s distant relative. A memorial service will take place Aug. 9 in Wilton. (See picture below to read the plaque.)
Born in Glen Cove, New York on Feb. 19, 1967, Quinn is survived by his wife of 22 years, Valerie, and their three teenage children: Emma, Garrett, and Tristan; his parents, Robert Fatherley Jr. and Julie Fatherley of Westport; his brother, Christopher, and his family currently residing in Fairfield; as well as extended family and friends around the world.
A 1985 graduate of Darien High School, Quinn completed a bachelor’s degree in English and history from the University of Connecticut in 1989. He proudly served in the United States Navy as a nuclear engineer from 1991 to 1997 aboard two submarines, the USS Tunny (SSN-682) and USS New York City (SSN-696), completing his service in a supervisory role as an E6, Petty Officer First Class (PO1).
He later enrolled in the engineering program at the University of New Mexico, graduating in 2002, where he met Valerie. They were married in 2003. His student years included work with Honeywell International, ABB Group (Switzerland), and Sandia National Laboratories. He spent most of his career in service to the nation as an engineer at Los Alamos National Laboratory and, most recently, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
Always ready to help, Quinn was comfortable talking to anyone and saw others as friends he had yet to meet. His ability to bridge common interests was a wonderful gift. An accomplished professional with a true engineer’s mind, he was always able to figure out how parts make the whole.
He had an insightful humor that could explain complexity with a joyous twist. As a world traveler, he engaged with people at each stop, his openness naturally fostering genuine connection.
He loved exploring and would comment on being “a kid with lots of years of experience.” When not spending time with his family or leading engineering teams, he could be found “wrenching” in his California mechanical shop amongst neatly curated chassis, engine blocks, and fuel systems — having the time of his life “playing with old iron.”
This plaque (shown in the first picture) memorializing Stephen Tyng Mather (1867-1930) reads: “He laid the foundation of the National Park Service, defining and establishing the policies under which its areas shall be developed and conserved unimpaired for future generations. There will never come an end to the good that he has done.”
An open house celebrating Quinn’s life will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. (Pacific time) Aug. 2 at the Graham-Hitch Memorial Center in Pleasanton, California.
A second service will be held at 2 p.m., Aug. 9 at the Wilton Quaker Meeting in Wilton. Those wishing to attend the Wilton service via Zoom can join here (Meeting ID: 898 0153 4364, Passcode: 160805).
Quinn will rest peacefully at Spring Grove Cemetery.
For those who wish to honor Quinn’s memory, contributions may be made to a local Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) station of choice, a favorite of his for British, science, and children’s programming.
Quinn’s family is grateful for all prayers and assurances of his safe passage alongside the Creator into blessed eternity.
— an obituary from Lawrence Funeral Home, where online condolences may be left
Quinn Fatherley (a closeup of the first picture above)