Arthur Herbert Quigley

Published in “The Waterbury Republican” on 30DEC1974, Page1 and continued on Page 4. Ex-AABC President Dies At 92 Arthur H. Quigley, retired president and chairman of the board of Anaconda American Brass Co., died today at the Waterbury Extended Care Facility after a long illness. He had marked his 92nd birthday in July. Up until his illness of several years duration Mr. Quigley had been active in many phases of community life. His last residence was The Elton, 30 West Main St. He retired from Anaconda Sept. 1, 1955, after completing 53 years service. He became associated with the firm in 1902 when he entered the employ of Coe Brass Co. in Torrington, later to become a branch of American Brass. His career closely paralleled that of the late Clark I. Judd, whom he had succeeded in the presidency and chairmanship of the board, both entering the brass business at the same time and serving in many similar capacities at AABC mills throughout the country. Mr. Quigley first came to Waterbury in 1906 as American Brass office manager in the general production and cost departments. When American Brass acquired its Kenosha, Wis., plant in 1910 Mr. Quigley went there as assistant manager. In 1922 he was named general manager of a new plant American Brass had just acquired in New Toronto, Canada. In June, 1927, he again assumed charge of a new plant —- this in Detroit —- as vice-president. He was back in Waterbury in 1941 as executive director of the company, but AABC’s war production activities sent him to New York City in February, 1944, as chairman of the board of Anaconda Wire and Cable Co., remaining in this post through August of 1945, when he was elected president, continuing until Dec. 27, 1950, when he became chairman of the board and remaining until his retirement in 1955. Thought his half-century career with AABC Mr. Quigley served as an officer and director of all its subsidiaries. He was elected chairman of Naugatuck Valley Industrial Council in December, 1950. Previously he had served as a director of Federated Funds and headed the 1947 Community Chest campaign when the payroll deduction plan was introduced. He also served as a director and member of the executive committee of the YMCA; trustee and executive committee, Connecticut Public Expenditure Council; director, Boston Manufacturers Mutual Fire Insurance Co.; member of the advisory board, Waterbury Trust Division, Connecticut National Bank; member of the National Industrial Conference Board; former trustee of Connecticut Junior Republic, Litchfield. When stationed in Kenosha during World War I he served as chairman of that city’s draft board. He also during his stay there was exalted ruler of the Kenosha Lodge of Elks. In Waterbury he belonged to the Waterbury Club and the Waterbury Country Club, maintaining his interest in golf, which he had played all his adult life, until his last illness. He was also on the board of directors of St. Mary’s Hospital Corporation. He was for many years a familiar figure on the center streets of Waterbury, walking from The Elton to the AABC office on Meadow Street —- tall, distinguished looking, and possessed of a military stride. He was born in Litchfield July 8, 1882, the son of Felix Quigley and Mary Ann (Herbert) Quigley. His family ran a large farm midway between Northfield and Litchfield Center and Mr. Quigley recalled at times walking to the country schools of his era in all kinds of weather. He was the youngest of nine children and the last survivor. He graduated from Litchfield High School and the Huntsinger Business College, Hartford, entering Coe Brass immediately upon finishing school. Immediate survivors are two nieces, the Misses Catherine A. and Emily C. Maloney, both of Waterbury; a nephew, Cornelius F. Maloney, also of Waterbury; several cousins, among them the Misses Katherine and Anna Herbert of Litchfield. Coincidently both Mr. Quigley and Mr. Judd started work in the brass business the same day —- July 7, 1902 —- the former in the Coe Brass mill office doing stenographic and clerical work; the latter as a roller helper in Coe Brass. Among other tasks while in Torrington, Mr. Quigley acted as secretary for W.S. Bassett, the firm’s first metallurgist, as well as other of the company officers. When he came to Waterbury in 1906 his duties took him to the familiar Bank Street office, long since demolished. Among his recollections of this stint of duty was having his hair cut at a nearby barbershop by a young man later to become one of the best restaurateurs in Waterbury and Connecticut, the late Rocco Diorio, who started his business life in the tonsorial trade. Also during his years at Kenosha Mr. Quigley was on the road selling, an experience he never quite gave up. His early trips were by train across the country, but in later years he took to air travel and had been to all parts of the globe for Anaconda. He was known throughout the organization for his troubleshooting ability and usually was called upon when manufacturing or labor problems arose throughout Anaconda’s far-flung holdings —- this particularly during World War II days. He combined in his administrative duties an Eastern conservatism with a Western aggressiveness. He was an inveterate reader, also down through the years an ardent sportsman, enjoying twice-a-year trips to Canada for hunting and fishing. When stationed in Torrington at the outset of his brass career he spent several years in the Connecticut National Guard and was an expert marksman. Up until recent years Mr. Quigley enjoyed an annual winter trip to Florida’s West coast, usually making the trip by car and handling the driving chores himself. The funeral will take place from the Bergin Funeral Home, 290 East Main St., to the Church of the Immaculate Conception. Burial will be in the family plot in St. Anthony’s Cemetery, Litchfield. Note: Arthur never married.