Pasquale J. DiQuinzio, 86, former Dechert partner

Pasquale J. DiQuinzio
Pasquale J. DiQuinzio
By Walter F. Naedele, Inquirer Staff Writer
Posted: February 15, 2012

Pasquale J. DiQuinzio, 86, a former partner at the Dechert law firm in Philadelphia who began his career as a U.S. Supreme Court clerk, died Friday, Feb. 10, of complications from Parkinson's disease at White Horse Village, the retirement community in Newtown Square.

He was a longtime resident of Springfield, Delaware County.

Mr. DiQuinzio, known as P.J., attended Northeast High School but dropped out to serve in the Navy from 1942 to 1945, first as a quartermaster on an admiral's yacht on the East Coast and later in China.

Using the GI Bill, he completed his high school education, earned a bachelor's degree in political science at Temple University in 1951, and was a law review editor at the University of Pennsylvania Law School, from which he graduated in 1954.

Mr. DiQuinzio clerked in the 1955-56 term of the U.S. Supreme Court for Associate Justice Harold H. Burton, who was on the court from 1945 to 1958.

While at the Dechert firm from 1956 to 1985, Mr. DiQuinzio focused on estates and taxes and directed a summer taxation program for its associates.

After leaving Dechert, he conducted a law practice under his own name in West Chester from 1985 to 2001.

"He was very gratified that many of his estate-planning clients remained with him through this transition from Dechert to his solo practice," his daughter Patrice said Tuesday.

"He really enjoyed the last phase of his legal career, in which he helped his clients make planned gifts and other donations to many worthy causes and organizations, especially college and universities."

A member of the board of directors of Neumann College from 1992 to 2002, Mr. DiQuinzio taught master's classes in taxation at Villanova University.

He was a member of Rolling Green Golf Club in Springfield, Delaware County.

Besides his daughter Patrice, Mr. DiQuinzio is survived by his wife, Bernice; sons Mark and David; a daughter, Mary; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

A viewing was set from 9 to 10:45 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15, at St. Mary Magdalen Roman Catholic Church, 2400 N. Providence Rd., Upper Providence, followed by an 11 a.m. Funeral Mass there, with burial in SS. Peter and Paul Garden Mausoleum.

Contact staff writer Walter F. Naedele at 215-854-5607 or wnaedele@phillynews.com.

Index by Keyword
|
Index by Date
|
About Philly.com
|
Contact Us
|
Terms of Use & Privacy Statement
|
Copyright 2013