HAINES CITY - Michael Andrew Quinlan, 66, of Haines City, FL died February 20 of cancer.  He was the third and youngest child of William A. and Grace A. Quinlan, and grew up in Bethesda, MD.

Mr. Quinlan served for 33 years as a hotel executive for the Marriott Corporation.  He retired in 2007 as Director of Food and Beverage for the Orlando World Center Marriott International, the largest Marriott in the world.  He was a Certified Food and Beverage Executive and worked in food and beverage management for 38 years, including five years in airline catering.  Mr. Quinlan worked in Baltimore, MD, Washington, D.C., Denver, CO, Houston, TX, Tampa, FL, Marco Island, FL, Panama City, FL, Steamboat Springs, CO, Wichita, KS, Naples, FL, and Orlando.

Since his retirement, Mr. Quinlan served as a food and beverage consultant in the golf and restaurant businesses.

Mr. Quinlan was a member of the Golf Nut Society of America.  For the past 29 years his hobby was to organize trips for family and friends, and to play golf with them at top courses throughout the world.  He played 46 of the courses currently listed in the top 100.  Mr. Quinlan viewed golf as more than a sport.  “It’s probably the only sport people of all ages and levels can play together, be outside, meet people and have a good time,” he said in the Summer 2006 issue of Golf Life Orlando.  “Michael says it (golf) is cheaper than a shrink,” his wife Jean said in the same article.  Mr. Quinlan often carried a single-digit handicap and once passed the Players Ability Test, one of the criteria for certification as a member of the Professional Golfer’s Association.

The study in his home is a mini-museum of golf filled with memorabilia he collected around the world.  Among those with whom Mr. Quinlan golfed were golfing legend Gene Sarazen, U.S. Open Champion Ken Venturi, and NFL Hall of Famer Dick Butkus.

Mr. Quinlan was a member of the United States Marine Corps.  He served his basic training at Paris Island, SC and eight years in the Reserve Corps.

Mr. Quinlan resided with his wife in Haines City.  In his community there he served on the board of the homeowner’s association and was responsible for planning and implementing significant improvements in community security.

Mr. Quinlan attended the University of Maryland.  There he studied accounting and business administration.  He was a graduate of Charlotte Hall Military Academy in Waldorf, MD.

  Mr. Quinlan was a devoted and beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother and uncle.  He is survived by his wife Jean Quinlan; a daughter Kelly A. Langan and her husband Patrick; a son Michael C. Quinlan and his wife Kim; brothers John R. Quinlan and his wife Rita, and William A. Quinlan, Jr.; stepdaughters DeLaura Padovan and her husband Steve, and Erin Padovan-Rodgers and her husband Ryan; stepson Jim Padovan; twelve grandchildren; one great grandchild; and five nieces and two nephews.