quirk was married, on 22 april 1880 at brathay church, ambleside, to mary jane clay (b. 17 august 1856 at stapenhill, burton-on-trent; d. 21 august 1934 at ulverstoke). she was the daughter of john clay(1805–1877), a priest, of burton-on-trent, and his wife, jessie harden (1814–1908) of ambleside. they had two sons and a daughter: