A00185 - Quentin Frederick Atherley, Amherst College Class of 1977, Cathedral Schools of St. Mary and St. Paul (Garden City, New York), New York Law School J.D., Long Time New York City Attorney

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Quentin Frederick Atherley

April 27, 1955 - March 2, 2025

Obituary

Quentin Frederick Atherley, 69, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at his home in Bradenton, Florida.

Born on April 27, 1955, in New York City, Quentin was the beloved son of Frederick and Mary Atherley. He grew up in Hempstead, Long Island, and pursued higher education at Amherst College in Amherst, MA, before earning his law degree from New York Law School.

On September 11, 1991, Quentin married the love of his life, Jennifer Atherley, with whom he shared a deep and enduring companionship.

Over the course of his distinguished 35-year career, Quentin played a pivotal role in conducting and supervising complex white-collar investigations for the state government. His work included high-profile cases involving public corruption, construction fraud, procurement fraud, and money laundering.

Quentin remained actively involved in his alma maters, mentoring and serving on the board for Amherst College and New York Law School. He led moot court programs and mentored incoming law students, helping them transition into the rigorous field of law. An avid reader and podcast listener, he loved discussing and sharing insights on a wide range of topics.

Quentin had a passion for sports, particularly biking, tennis, and soccer, and he and Jennifer enjoyed these activities together. They were also devoted food enthusiasts, exploring diverse cuisines, wine tastings, and global travel. Known for his sharp wit and dry humor, Quentin often entertained friends and family with his stories. A consummate lawyer with a deep interest in politics, he never hesitated to voice his opinions in engaging discussions. Over the years, he built lifelong friendships spanning childhood, college, and his professional career.

Though Quentin’s achievements were many, his greatest legacy was his kindness and compassion for others. He is survived by his loving wife, Jennifer, and other cherished family members.

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Quentin Frederick Atherley Obituary

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of Quentin Frederick Atherley of Bradenton, Florida, who passed away on March 2, 2025, at the age of 69, leaving to mourn family and friends. You can send your sympathy in the guestbook provided and share it with the family.

In the quiet moments of reflection, let us honor Quentin Frederick's memory by embracing the beauty of each fleeting moment, knowing that his spirit resides in the eternal tapestry of existence, forever woven into the fabric of our hearts.

He was loved and cherished by many people including: his parents, Frederick Atherley and Mary Atherley; and his wife Jennifer Atherley.

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In Memory

Quentin F. Atherley passed away peacefully in his sleep on March 2, 2025, at his home in Sarasota, Fla.

He graduated with a degree in anthropology. He leaves behind his loving wife of more than 30 years, Jennifer. After graduating from New York Law School, he clerked for Judge Lawrence Warren Pierce of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and followed that with a stint as an ADA with Nassau County. His adroit prosecutorial talents were followed by positions as general counsel to the MTA and the New York State Inspector General Office.

Quentin, always a strong advocate for law enforcement, served a term as the deputy police commissioner for the City of Mount Vernon, Westchester County. Just prior to his retirement and relocation to Florida, he worked as an administrative judge for New York State. 

In addition to his professional accolades, Quentin was an avid tennis player (freshman team at Amherst), bicyclist and car enthusiast. All who knew him will remember his acerbic wit, mischievous laugh and impish grin. A consummate prankster who was often the life of the alcohol-fueled party.

We were roommates for three years (Quentin spent one semester studying at the University of Hawai‘i) and bonded almost immediately after meeting on the steps of North College during freshman orientation. The similarities in our families and upbringings were striking: from working-class Afro-Caribbean households in Queens and Long Island, we played sports for rival high schools, but most importantly, we both craved the intellectual milieu that Amherst offered. Whether it was the challenges of a Hexter and Yost lab writeup, deciphering a DeMott writing assignment or simply attending a Henry Steele Commager lecture, we cherished every moment. 

Quentin was more than a friend; he was my confidante, mentor, conscience, advisor and soulmate. 

David L. Burns ’77

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Contact

Nickname

• Q

Family

Amherst Relatives

• Jennifer D. Atherley W'77

Personal

About Me

• Quentin Frederick Atherley April 27, 1955 - March 2, 2025 Obituary Quentin Frederick Atherley, 69, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at his home in Bradenton, Florida. Born on April 27, 1955, in New York City, Quentin was the beloved son of Frederick and Mary Atherley. He grew up in Hempstead, Long Island, and pursued higher education at Amherst College in Amherst, MA (Class of '77), before earning his law degree from New York Law School, New York City, NY (Class of '81). On September 11, 1991, Quentin married the love of his life, Jennifer Atherley, with whom he shared a deep and enduring companionship. Over the course of his distinguished 35-year career, Quentin played a pivotal role in conducting and supervising complex white-collar investigations for the state government. His work included high-profile cases involving public corruption, construction fraud, procurement fraud, and money laundering. Quentin remained actively involved in his alma maters, mentoring and serving on the board for Amherst College and New York Law School. He led moot court programs and mentored incoming law students, helping them transition into the rigorous field of law. An avid reader and podcast listener, he loved discussing and sharing insights on a wide range of topics. Quentin had a passion for sports, particularly biking, tennis, and soccer, and he and Jennifer enjoyed these activities together. They were also devoted food enthusiasts, exploring diverse cuisines, wine tastings, and global travel. Known for his sharp wit and dry humor, Quentin often entertained friends and family with his stories. A consummate lawyer with a deep interest in politics, he never hesitated to voice his opinions in engaging discussions. Over the years, he built lifelong friendships spanning childhood, college, and his professional career. Though Quentin’s achievements were many, his greatest legacy was his kindness and compassion for others. He is survived by his loving wife, Jennifer, and other cherished family members.

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Professional

Employment Information

Former

• Administrative Law Judge

  City of New York

  Start:

  02/2016

  End:

  07/2020
• Counselor and Attorney

  Self Employed

  Start:

  06/2012

  End:

  03/2025
• Independent Consultant/Team Leader

  Guidepost Solutions LLC

  Start:

  11/2010

  End:

  05/2012
• Senior Investigative Counsel

  State of New York

  Start:

  04/1998

  End:

  03/2010
• Deputy Police Commissioner

  City of Mt. Vernon

  Start:

  01/1996

  End:

  01/1998
• Associate General Counsel

  Metropolitan Transit Authority

  Start:

  01/1988

  End:

  01/1996
• Assistant District Attorney

  Nassau County

  Start:

  01/1983

  End:

  01/1988

Industry Information

Current

• Law/Legal Services: Attorney
• Law/Legal Services: Judge

Former

• Consulting: Research
• Law/Legal Services: Partner
• Skilled Labor: Municipal

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Amherst

Reunion Class

• 1977

Graduation Year

• 1977

Major(s)

• Anthropology

Other Academic

Secondary Schools

• Cathedral Sch St Mary & St Paul

Higher Ed

• New York Law School

  Field of Study:

  Law

  Degree:

  Doctor of Jurisprudence

  Year:

  1981

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Amherst

Volunteering

• Alumni Admission

  Role:

  Advisor
• Alumni Fund

  Role:

  Associate Agent

Fraternity

• Independent (no fraternity affil)

Post-Graduate

No data available

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