Martin Joseph Conroy

About

University of Southern California

FUNERAL HOME

Bastian & Perrott, Oswald Mortuary

18728 Parthenia Street

Northridge, California

Martin Conroy Obituary

January 12, 1932 - August 31, 2013
Sometimes saint and scholar, son of Irish immigrants Vince and Nellie and brother to Mary. Lifelong Angeleno, Martin graduated in 1950 from St. Agnes High School and in 1955 from Loyola (LMU) University. From East Los Angeles Occupational Center to Venice High School and after over 30 years of public service, he retired as principal of Reseda Community Adult School where students and staff remember him as a true gentleman, a "real mensch". Reader, writer and raconteur his favorite causes included the Catholic Worker and Doctors Without Borders.
Martin's legacy lives on in his wife of 54 years, Diana, in his children and their spouses - Anne and John Salazar, Claudia, Michael and Alessandra Conroy, Jennifer and David O'Day, and William, and in his grandchildren - Patrick, Ian, Kathleen, Joshua, Matteo, Nicolas, Diana and Emily.
A visitation and rosary will be held at Bastian and Perrott, Oswald Mortuary on Friday, September 6, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. A funeral mass will be held Saturday, September 7 at St. Joseph the Worker Church in Canoga Park at 10 a.m.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Los Angeles Times from Sep. 5 to Sep. 7, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Martin Conroy

Sponsored by His Loving Cousin, Margaret Ann [McCormack] Schwerdtman.

9 Entries

Robert Worden

December 10, 2014

My Name is Robert Worden, I'm 56 and "Mr. Conroy" was my journalism teacher at Pacoima Jr. High in 1971-1972. I was among the original "Newseekers" which he created. I've followed that path in television throughout my entire life, earning numerous awards and Emmy nominations and travelling the world working with the most prestigious television producers and personalities. I owe my career, my love of my work and my deepest dedication to one of the most amazing individuals, and greatest mentors anyone could hope to have encountered. I will never forget his commanding presence, his demand for the highest of standards and his youthful enthusiasm for the amazing moments we shared together. I truly adored this man and will never forget him. God Bless, Robert Worden, Sammamish, WA

Marta Mariani

September 8, 2013

It was a pleasure to know Martin. A very lovely and kind man. My deep condolences to Diana and all the family. My prayers are with you.

Margaret Ann [McCormack] Schwerdtman

September 6, 2013

Love and Prayers to the entire Conroy Family.
May you find comfort in your loving memories of Beloved Martin J. Conroy, having been a witness and an integral part and of a life well lived. God Bless you.

Bill Conroy, Martin J. Conroy and cousin Margaret Ann [McCormack} Schwerdtman at the Inn of the Seventh Ray on August 26, 2012

Margaret Ann [McCormack] Schwerdtman

September 6, 2013

My beloved cousin, Martin Joseph Conroy, was a Gift and Blessing in my life. Martin was a genuine, moral, gracious, kind, thoughtful, refined, educated, generous and warm hearted gentleman. He was a devout Catholic and loyal and loving family man, having raised five children with his beautiful and devoted wife, Diana. Martin also had an accomplished career as an English teacher and principal. In retirement years, he volunteered his time at a soup kitchen.

Martin was a dear person and was always thoughtful and kind.
I have many fond memories of times shared with Martin, at our family reunion in Virginia, his visits to New York and my visits to California. In Martin's presence, I was always at home and at peace. He was a great storyteller and shared many wonderful stories of our family history in a gifted way, complete with laughter and humor. I cherish these times.

Martin will Always be in my Heart and Prayers. I truly loved my Dear Cousin. Until we meet again, I trust that that God has you in His care.

Martin J. Conroy, Diana Conroy, Bill Conroy and cousin Margaret Ann [McCormack] Schwerdtman at the Inn of the Seventh Ray on 7/22/2010

Margaret Ann Schwerdtman

September 6, 2013

September 5, 2013

Dia is Muire Dhuit. Martin you are the best.

Mary Eileen

Claudia Conroy

September 5, 2013

Martin Joseph Conroy
January 12, 1932-August 31, 2013

Martin Joseph Conroy, sometimes saint and scholar, son of Irish immigrants Michael Vincent Conroy of Castlebar and Ellen McCormack Conroy of Claremorris, County Mayo arrived on January 12, 1932 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona, but in true spirit kept moving and within the year landed in Los Angeles where his sister Mary Ellen was born. The Conroys resided in many locales throughout the county including “the ranch” where they cared for animals and Martin collected comics from Prince Valiant to Superman and listened to the serials of the Lone Ranger, I Love a Mystery and Captain Midnight. Martin graduated from St. Agnes High School in 1950 where he served as Class President. In 1955, he received his Bachelors in English from Loyola University where he acted as President of Del Rey Players and in 1956 he completed his Masters in English. From 1976 to 1978, he worked on his administrative credential at USC. His response to the call, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country”, was to dedicate his life to service and public education. To that end, he became a proud proponent of public education through his public service program on CBS, Steps to Learning, which showcased the excellence of teaching in Los Angeles. For 37 years, he served the public as first a teacher and finally as a principal. His assignments took him to all corners of the city from Venice, to Hollywood, to Fairfax High, retiring as principal from Reseda Community Adult School where he garnered the admiration of his colleagues and gratitude of students as evidenced by the overflow crowd at his retirement party. “There is a word that defines an upright, honorable, decent person – someone of consequence; someone to admire and emulate; someone of noble character – Martin Conroy personifies the word – ‘A mensch',” read the remembrance of the Reseda staff. Martin made a stop at Pacoima Junior High, where as Director of the Television, Film and Arts Center, his groundbreaking program, Newseekers, aired on PBS and set the standard for student produced news broadcasts across the country. At East Los Angeles Occupational Center, he continued to innovate at the intersection of academics, art and communication.

For Martin, the beginning was always the word whether it be written, spoken or sung. His political perspicacity reverberated in the topsy- turvy raps of Gilbert and Sullivan, the deadpan drawings of Doonesbury and the clever cartoons of Paul Conrad. He spent hours in the mysteries of Sherlock Holmes and Masterpiece Theater, where Foyle's War was a favorite. His training in radio, television and theater prepared him well for his most important role as narrator of the classics, A. A. Milne books, where at bedtime he became the definitive voice for Pooh, Piglet and Eeyore long before Disney took over the franchise. An observation might include his universal affirmation, “Absolutely” or a line borrowed from Shakespeare, “His life was gentle, and the elements so mix'd in him that Nature might stand up. . . And say to all the world, ‘This was a man!'” In his own life, he was able encompass being both a Director of the Reseda Chamber of Commerce and an oblate of the Order of St. Benedict and his daily catechism included completing the crossword puzzle. “There, but for the grace of God, go I” was lived through his contributions to countless community efforts including the Los Angeles Catholic Worker and their Tuna Sunday, Amnesty International, Doctors Without Borders, Maryknoll, Pax Christi and in raising relief money for the hungry of Bangladesh and the homeless of Sylmar's earthquake. He experienced his love of Los Angeles in the back kitchens of the dim sum palaces on North Broadway, at Manny's a.k.a. El Tepeyac on Evergreen, home of the ten pound burrito, and at Taix, where he was on a first name basis with the now “vintage” wait staff. A sojourn to Dodger Stadium was really a reason to visit Barragan's and his refusal to pay for parking meant that walking was always part of the trip. Sunday outings always ended at an ice cream parlor, usually Carousel or McConnell's. On August 31, 2013, Martin did go gently into that good day and on to The Big Rock Candy Mountain.

Martin's legacy lives on in his wife of 54 years Diana May, in his children and their spouses - Anne and John Salazar, Claudia Conroy, Michael and Alessandra Conroy, Jennifer and David O'Day, and William Conroy and grandchildren - Patrick, Ian and Kathleen Salazar; Joshua, Matteo and Nicolas Conroy; Diana and Emily O'Day. Friends, the extended family, colleagues, neighbors, the church, school and wider community, his caregivers were a reciprocal blessing, in which he both gave and received love and support and for which we, the family, are forever grateful. May you go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Thanks be to God.

September 5, 2013

Paul Barstow

September 5, 2013

It was my pleasure and privilege to work with Martin in the late 1960s when we were both assigned to the Radio-Television Section of LAUSD. Martin had a rare wit and a gift for storytelling which endeared him to everyone. I send my sympathy to Diana and to all of Martin's family and friends.

Showing 1 - 9 of 9 results