Gregory B. Conway

1944 - 2017

Conway, Gregory B.

Gregory B. Conway, 73, died on September 15, 2017, from complications of dementia. He passed peacefully, surrounded by his loving wife and children. Greg was born in Wisconsin Rapids, WI on January 18, 1944, to Judge Byron B. and Evelyn Maloney Conway.

Greg married the former Diane Browning on January 27, 1968. They have two children, Colleen Meredith Conway and Byron Browning Conway (Alisa Minten), and four grandchildren, Lauren Lucille, Quinn Gregory, Kelsey Jillian and Vivian Grace.

In addition to the practice of law, Greg played golf every chance he had at Oneida Golf and Country Club until chronic back pain necessitated his retirement from the game. Often arriving after 5:00 p.m., he frequently played until darkness fell, earning him the nickname "Captain Midnight" from the course pros. Greg often said he did some of his best thinking on the golf course. A regular at the Downtown YMCA for over four decades, Greg was the unofficial owner of lane 2 of the swimming pool.

Greg loved to golf and play pool with his son and to exchange novels and watch movies with his daughter. He enjoyed visits from his grandchildren, where together, they would overindulge in his Diane's chocolate chip cookies. Greg and Diane spent many winter and summer weeks in his favorite place, Beaver Creek, Colorado, where they created treasured memories, skiing and golfing under Colorado's blue skies with family and friends. He and Diane enjoyed many travels including trips to Asia, Africa, the Galapagos Islands, Machu Picchu, Ireland, Greece, and many European countries. Reading was Greg's other avocation, focusing on mysteries, World War II and submarine warfare. Greg graduated from Marquette University in 1966, and earned his law degree from Marquette University Law School in 1970, continuing a long tradition of the Conway family's involvement in the law. Greg's grandfather, Dennis D. Conway, was a "country lawyer" in Wisconsin Rapids, as were Greg's father, Byron, and his brother, Dennis. Both Byron and Dennis also served as judges in Wood County. Greg's daughter and son have continued the Conway tradition and both graduated with law degrees, as did Greg's nephew, David Conway.

Upon graduation Greg was selected by Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Leo B. Hanley to serve as his law clerk. In 1971, Greg began the practice of law with the Green Bay firm of Cohen, Grant. In 1976, along with Herbert Liebmann III and Thomas M. Olejniczak, he founded the law firm Liebmann, Conway, Olejniczak. Today the firm, now the largest in Green Bay, is known as the Law Firm of Conway, Olejniczak and Jerry.

Always generous with his time and intellect, Greg coached Mock Trial teams at St. Joseph's Academy and Notre Dame Academy.

Greg was admitted to practice in the State Bar of Wisconsin, the Eastern and Western U.S. District Courts of Wisconsin and the Supreme Court of the United States. In 1984 Greg was elected President of the State Bar of Wisconsin, at the time the youngest person to hold that position. He was appointed by three Wisconsin Governors to prestigious positions, including the United States Senators Commission for Selection of Federal Judges, and to serve as Chairman of the State of Wisconsin Elections Board.

He was elected to the American College of Trial Lawyers, a designation given to fewer than 1% of lawyers in the nation. Greg was a member and state fellowship chairman of The International Society of Barristers, state chairman and fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers, state chairman and fellow in the American Board of Trial Advocates, officer and director of the Wisconsin Academy of Trial Lawyers, the Federation of Insurance and Corporate Counsel, the Robert J. Parins Inns of Court and the Brown County Bar Association.

Greg was invited to lecture at Marquette University Law School, the University of Wisconsin Law School and was a frequent speaker and panelist at numerous professional educational seminars and authored articles in many legal journals and books. In 2008, he received the Alumnus of the Year Award from Marquette University Law School. Other honors he received include: Leader in the Law Wisconsin Law Journal 2014; Top 50 Wisconsin Attorneys; Wisconsin Super Lawyers©; Commercial Litigation Lawyer of the Year, 2012; Wisconsin Super Lawyers©, 2005-2016; Best Lawyers in America©, 2006-2016.

Greg is survived by Diane, his wife of nearly 50 years, their daughter Colleen, their son Byron and his wife Alisa (Minten), and four grandchildren, Lauren, Quinn, Kelsey and Vivian. He is also survived by his brother Dennis D. Conway (Mary) of Wisconsin Rapids; his brother-in-law Albert Eisele of Washington, D.C.; his nieces and nephews David Conway (Carly), Kitty Eisele and Anne Eisele Seitz (Patrick). He is further survived by Diane's family, William J. Browning, Ledyard, CT; Robert X Browning, West Lafayette, IN; John and Susan Browning, Evansville, IN, and their children and grandchildren; Elizabeth Browning and Paul Roessel, Wilmington, DE, and their children and grandchildren; Christine Browning and Deborah Malebouf, Atlanta, GA; Jeff Schmeckpeper, Milwaukee, WI and his children and grandchildren. Greg was predeceased by his parents, Byron and Evelyn Conway; his sister, Moira Conway Eisele; Diane's parents, William J. and Constance S. Browning; and his sister-in-law Barbara Browning.

Visitation will be from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday September 21, 2017, with a prayer service at 7:45 p.m. at Ryan Funeral Home, 305 North Tenth Street De Pere, WI 54115. There will also be visitation from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. preceding the Mass of Christian Burial which will be celebrated on Friday September 22, 2017, 10:30 a.m., at St. Willebrord's Catholic Church, 209 S Adams St Green Bay, WI 54301, Rev. Andrew Cribben, O. Praem., Rev. Paul Demuth and Rev. Richard Getchel officiating. Burial in Allouez Cemetery. Please visit www.ryanfh.com to send online condolences. Please go to www.ryanfh.com to send online condolences to the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that Greg's practice of charitable giving be continued with memorials to Marquette University Law School, P.O. Box 1881, Milwaukee, WI 53201 or the Green Bay YMCA, 235 North Jefferson Street, Green Bay, WI 54301.

The family extends sincere thanks to the many professionals who have cared for Greg during his illness, including those at George Washington University Hospital, Washington, DC, Bellin Hospital, Rennes Health Center, and Angel's Touch Assisted Living whose staff was always caring and respectful. AseraCare Hospice nurses and staff made Greg's final months more comfortable. Daniel G. Koster, M.D. was a constant source of medical care, information, support and friendship.