Former Gov. George Pataki spokesperson Kevin Quinn, 53, has died

Kevin C. Quinn, 53, passed away on January 25, surrounded by family at Crouse Hospital.

According to his obituary, he was a “communications leader known statewide and nationally as an expert on higher education, leadership, political, and crisis communications.”

Raised in Albany, he was a graduate of Bishop Maginn High School and earned his bachelor’s degree from SUNY Plattsburgh where he majored in communications.

He developed his “famously encyclopedic knowledge of New York State government” and was chosen to serve Governor George Pataki as his press secretary.

Quinn was Pataki’s “day-to-day” spokesperson and managed media relations.

According to Post-Standard archives, Quinn “collaborated in the development of Pataki’s annual State of the State speech and other major speeches” and “advised the governor’s senior staff on policy and strategic decisions and related messaging strategy.”

Then, he served for a decade as Syracuse University’s Vice President for Public Affairs, then as a Senior Advisor to the Chancellor for Executive Communications and Public Affairs.

“It’s a tremendous opportunity,” Quinn said of his move to SU in 2006. “It’s a world-class university with a strong commitment to academic excellence.”

“Throughout his career,” Quinn’s obituary said, he “committed himself through his work to finding solutions to society’s problems that would make good on America’s promise as a place of opportunity for all.”

“He brought to that work the sensibilities he developed growing up the son of hard-working parents in modest circumstances in Albany, ever grateful himself for the opportunities afforded him through education, hard work, and caring mentors. That awareness endeared Kevin to friends and colleagues of all political stripes, along with his reserved demeanor, keen analytical mind, wry sense of humor, crooked half-smile, and fierce loyalty to those close to him.”

His “deepest commitment of all,” though,…