Long Beach, California
Apr 13, 1920 – Mar 12, 2012
Raymond T. "Ted" Conlin
April 13, 1920 - March 12, 2012
. "Our primary aim was not to permit any air action by the enemy that would endanger those men of ours making the operation." Ted Conlin
Ted Conlin was a WWII fighter pilot who awarded the DFC, Air Medal with 4 Clusters, 4 major Battle Stars, Russian Medal of Great Patriotic War. He flew 71 missions, 270 combat hours and had one enemy aircraft destroyed, flew 5 missions as platoon leader and 12 missions as flight leader and received 1 overseas bar. Upon his release in 1945, he attended USC, graduated with a B.S. Business in May, 1950. He owned his own insurance brokerage firm and retired from the business in 1985.
As a young fighter pilot, Ted fell in love with a beautiful English lassie, Audrey while on duty in England. When he returned from a mission, he "buzzed" her house. They were married in 1948 and live in Long Beach for more than 5 decades.
He is survived by Audrey; his granddaughter, Nicole; great granddaughter, Audrey Rose; son, Bill Madonna; grandsons, Aaron and Alex Madonna and friends. Viewing - March 20, 3 - 7 pm at Luyben Family Mortuary
Mass - March 21 at 10 am at St. Cornelius Church, 3330 N. Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach. Reception following at Old Ranch Country Club, 3845 Lampson Avenue, Seal Beach.
Burial - March 22 at 10 am National Cemetery, Riverside
Missing Man Fly Over - 10:30 am Warbirds Museum.
Please sign the guest book at ww.presstelegram.com/obituaries.
You'll always be the best granddad and great granddad anyone could ask for. My heart is broken but my soul is prideful because of you. Nana and I will miss you terribly but will see you again one day. Love you Grund! Over and Out. PS: I bought some licorice to give little Audi.
Nicole Soltis
March 20, 2012 | Dana Point, CA
I never thought I would ever learn the name of the P52 pilot that roared over Bentley Street and gave me a real thrill.I never thought it was the same person who spirited you away from your office in Riby Square.He was a real good chap Audrey,and I looked up to him as an example of a real man.
Bryan Coulter
March 20, 2012 | Long Beach, CA
Golf makes a nice day but having Ted join us on the 19th hole and regale us with stories of WWII and the P-51 made for a perfect day! We will always miss you!
Paul & Sue Liles
March 20, 2012 | Rossmoor, CA
Ted was the founding Grand Knight of Council 3629 of The Knights of Columbus back in 1953. He was a great Grand Knight and stayed active all these years.
We shall always remember him in our annual memorial service.
Ronald Steiner - FS
March 20, 2012 | Lakewood, CA
Tedley:
I miss you very much -- You were SPECIAL and certainly a SHINING STAR -- I sincerely thank you for 25 yrs of friendship and support -- You left this world a better place than you found it and were a true hero!!
Over and out Old Pal, RIP, love you,
Aaron Madonna
March 20, 2012
Ted will be missed. He truly was one of the greatest storytellers. When Doc Bodie would show up for golf with two or three "caddies", Ted would ask him "Why didn't you bring some of the kids?"
He was kind and funny and thoughtful and brightened our days. The St. Patrick's Day parade in heaven is special this year. Ted is the Grand Marshall.
Our deepest sympathies.
Bodensteiner family
March 17, 2012 | Long Beach, CA
