James Quigley of Melbourne, Australia, age 86

[Milaca]

Posted on Facebook today is the notice of James Quigley having passed away yesterday from cancer. No further details have yet been posted.

James Quigley, born May 16, 1936
James assembled Studebakers that were shipped to Australia from 1959 to 1966 at an assembly plant in Melbourne.
Many may recognize his beautiful 1964 Gran Turismo Hawk that he had owned since 1970.
James' forum name was HAWK64

[r1lark]

Sad news indeed. I always enjoyed Jim's posts on the forum, especially his unique Studebaker memorabilia finds.

My sympathies to his family.

[Buzzard]

What a wonderful smile, meal and glass of wine. He lived life well.
RIP Jim

[8E45E]

Very sorry to hear of this.

I recall meeting him in person for the first time in 1983 in South Bend at the International Meet. He was a regular contributor to Turning Wheels covering meets in Australia, and also his experiences working for CCM, the assembler of Studebakers Down Under.

Craig

[doug]

Sorry to hear of this. Enjoyed the conversations at International Meets up here and down there.

[Waratah]

A life member of our club, we affectionately called him "Gentleman Jim"
A big loss to all!
Thoughts go out to his family.
Stuart

[58 Hawk]

Sir James was a true gentleman and a best friend. We shared great times together both in Australia and many SDC meets around the US. Have may fond memories of times together and our telephone chats . He will be greatly missed and our sympathy to his loving family . Joe Parsons

[Avantidon]

Really a shock to me. Just had a long conversation with him in the last few weeks. Never said a word to me about his illness. Jim was a true friend and very knowledgeable about many things far beyond Studebakers. One of his other favorite subjects was the Civil War here in this country and we had many interesting conversations on this as well. Rest in Peace Jim and may the Lord wrap his arms around Greta and his family,

[David Simkin]

I knew Jim initially through my then restaurant, Picks Place in Essendon, Vic in the 1980s, where I had an experience of Jim’s laconic humour.
Jim phoned late one New Year’s Eve afternoon – did I have a table for his family?
“Sure Jim – but it would be late – I’ve a full house but I expect some people to leave well before midnight “

Jim and family settled in and later as I was cooking, I lost my timing for a while and there were significant delays.
I sheepishly approached the Quigley table, immediately apologising for the delay.
With a deadpan expression, Jim said “that’s OK, David - it’s the first time I ‘ve had main course in one year – and dessert in the next!”

My memories of Jim are bookended by the NYE story near the start of our friendship; and then in March this year, I met Jim at one of his favourite cafes, Sugarbeat, near his home in Ascot Vale.
I had travelled from rural Victoria so Jim dropped me back at the railway station in the beautiful Hawk.

He reminded me of the event when I saw him in hospital just a few days before he died.
He said that I was the last person to ride in his pride & joy; that he had paid the cafe bill that day, and I wouldn’t be able to reciprocate – I felt terrible ………………….
until I saw the beginnings of that cheeky smile!

My thoughts are with Greta, Cheryl, Sharon and his grandchildren.