The Napa County courts revived a long-standing tradition to honor the late John Quigley, a retired judge.

For years, attorneys and court staff paid tribute to judges who passed away by giving former colleagues and friends the chance to share their memories at a court ceremony. The comments were read into the court record, which was transcribed by the court reporter and given to the family of the deceased.

However the tradition took a back seat for many years, until Friday, when Napa County Superior Court Presiding Judge Ray Guadagni reinstated the practice to honor former Napa County Superior Court Judge John Quigley, who died on Sept. 26.

Guadagni touted his former colleague and friend for his sincerity and down-to-earth manner. “People looked up to John because he never looked down on anyone,” Guadagni said.

All rise

Quigley was elected to the bench in 1978 after years living and working in Napa. He was born in 1926 and moved to Napa with his family when he was 2. He attended St. John the Baptist Catholic School and graduated from Napa High School in 1944. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War.

In 1951, he received his law degree from UC Hastings College of Law. Before coming to Napa in 1963 to join the district attorney’s office as a prosecutor, Quigley worked for law firms in Mendocino County and San Francisco. He retired in 1994.

Although the ceremony included a court reporter, presiding judge and bailiffs, it was held in the jury assembly room in the historic courthouse to accommodate a large crowd on hand to honor the popular former judge.

The room was filled with retired and current Napa County judges, attorneys who appeared in front of Quigley, and his family and friends.

Quigley’s widow, Jessie, along with two of their three sons, sat in the front row as people from the audience recalled Quigley as kind, caring, approachable, fair and — when needed — tough.

Many of Quigley’s colleagues remembered him for his love of basketball. While on the bench in his 60s and 70s, Quigley played with other judges and attorneys in their noon-time basketball scrimmages.

Retired Napa County Court Commissioner Mark Vierra recalled when Quigley first joined the team.

“He was in his 60s. He came out in his shorts and T-shirt, and looking at this guy, I had my doubts about him playing. I thought, ‘I don’t know if he will be able to take the abuse on the court,’” Vierra said. “But I was wrong. He ran with us, fell down, got up and jumped right back into the game. He never complained. John inspired and motivated me. He was one of the most approachable men I ever knew. He treated everyone like a friend.”

Napa Superior Court Judge Stephen Kroyer remembered when he was a prosecutor appearing before Quigley.

“John made each court appearance a pleasant one. I wish every judge was able to treat everyone in the courtroom the way John did — with respect and kindness,” Kroyer said.

Judge Francisca Tisher replaced Quigley on the bench when he retired.

“John was very dedicated. I will always remember him for his wonderful smile and his love of life,” Tisher said.

Retired judge Ron Young described Quigley as “patient and as kind as they come. He had also a passion for life. His personality is what everyone remembers about John,” Young said.

‘Miss him deeply’

Jessie Quigley said she was honored that everyone had such high esteem for her late husband.

“I miss him so deeply,” she said in an interview. “Today, hearing all the wonderful comments about John has helped me. It is wonderful to know so many other people loved and cared for him as much as I do. John was a good, loving, caring man.”

Quigley’s son, Mark, said Friday’s event was the third memorial he had attended for his father.

“Each time it doesn’t get any easier,” he said. “This a terrible loss for all of us. But I never thought it would be this hard. I was with my dad in the hospital every day until the end. I went down with the ship.”