VINCENT CONWAY, age 84, native of Doona, Ballycroy, Co. Mayo, Ireland. Beloved husband of the late Rita "Margaret" (nee O’Toole) and longtime companion of Kathleen Sheehan (nee Lackey). Devoted father of Maureen Reich (Mark) and Erin Houghton (Greg Szekely). Proud grandfather of Tyler Houghton. Loving son of the late Mary "Molly" Cleary. Dearest brother of Mary Lowry (David Joseph, deceased), Rosaleen Andrews (Larry), Bridie Conway (Pat), Nora Shields (Jimmy), Anne O’Malley (deceased) (Tony Keogh), Christina Parker (deceased) (Martin), Theresa Bradshaw (deceased) (Mick). Uncle, cousin and friend to many.
Passed away January 4, 2023 after a long illness. Funeral Mass Monday, January 9, St. Bernadette Church (2256 Clague Rd., Westlake) at 12 P.M. (Mass will be livestreamed at www.saintbernadetteparish.org). Interment Holy Cross Cemetery. Friends may call at CHAMBERS FUNERAL HOME of CLEVELAND, 4420 ROCKY RIVER DR. AT PURITAS, SUNDAY 2-5 P.M. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the West Side Irish American Club, 8559 Jennings Rd., Olmsted Twp., OH 44138 would be greatly appreciated.
Dad
I'm Vinny Conway's daughter.
That's how I've introduced myself, and others have introduced me in the Irish community for as long as I can remember.
My Dad has now gone to heaven to be reunited with Mom. "Be happy for me" is what he told me. The pain and suffering of this life is now over.
Vinny was:
A survivor of challenges and hardships throughout his life. Growing up in the beautiful Irish countryside wasn't easy but he found joy where he could, often skipping school for a bit of fishing or an occasional boat ride with the local doctor who would take him out on trips.
Everyone in the family left to England or America to earn wages to send home. Even Grama went to America to work while the bigger kids raised the younger kids and took care of their ailing father.
Dad worked with the Irish road crew by the time he was 15 and worked manual labor in England by 17. At 19 he set out to America, telling me the boat ride was one heck of a party for a 19 year old! In Cleveland he moved in with his grandmother and cousins. Great Grandma Needham was a fantastic cook, fattened him up and taught him how to be a savvy 25 player.
Forever an Irishman.
Dad always kept to the safety and familiarity of his Irish community, playing Gaelic Football and socializing at the West Side Irish American club. This is where he met Rita O'Toole, my mom. It was love at first sight and the two of them were like film stars... the real IT Couple. Dad wrote to Grama to let her know he could no longer send money home as he was ready to buy his own home and be the provider for his own family.
A Provider for his family.
There was plenty of joy as they welcomed me, and 6 years later welcomed Erin. We moved into a larger home in the suburbs but life once again changed to hardship as mom struggled with multiple sclerosis.
Dad did his best to give us a good life while we all balanced caregiving responsibilities. Weekend camping trips and RV trips were challenging but he made them happen. Boating, water-skiing, RV trips and annual visits to amusement parks are part of my memory.
Dad built an extra bedroom in the basement for my mom's parents who came to America to work. They stayed with us on weekends and worked in the "big house" in Hunting Valley during the week. I fondly remember those weekly Sunday night trips to return them to work, sometimes stopping for a few rides on the big slide on the way home.
Loyal.
Moms illness never let up. Dad worked nights so he could be the caregiver during the day and I would be the caregiver at night. At 18 I left home and mom could no longer remain there. She spent the next 10 years in a nursing home and dad spent every evening at her side. Up to the very end he believed a miracle would happen and return her to him.
Fun and entertaining.
He loved a good party, a dance, a good game of 25. And he loved to get up and sing a song or two at any event. Black Velvet Band, Galway Shawl, A Mother's love is a blessing, the National Anthem, and of course his favorite, The 90 year old. Hearing dad sing around the house is one of my best memories. After Mom passed away he and Kathleen enjoyed many years of dances and parties.
A Sportsman.
He could watch golf for days at a time. He was also pretty darn good at it. Always the perfectionist, he taught himself and practiced and played until he was a real contender. I’m sure he wasn’t always perfect on the course, cuz I’ve heard of some very colorful language he would shout on occasion. He was a great bowler, an avid fisherman, and enjoyed years playing with the Cleveland Gaelic Football league. He also loved watching sports on TV, but the poor television also had to listen to his tirades and insults when his teams weren’t playing to the best of their ability.
Big Hearted.
He would cry watching commercials, liked love stories, and loved watching babies and dogs play. Another of my best memories was when I was 7 or 8. I had a favorite doll that was well loved and I'd carried around for years. One day her head fell off her cloth body and I was inconsolable. Dad sat on the floor and carefully sewed her back together for me. That moment was priceless.
Industrious.
Dad was the hardest working man I've ever known. He always had projects and loved his work. He took great pride in everything he did and was a perfectionist. At the gas company he would carefully remove grass from an area and arrange like an archeological dig before the backhoe tore up the earth. Then he would place every piece of turf back in its place so the homeowner wouldn't even be able to tell that work had been done. He rarely used a sick day and taught us the value of having a great work ethic.
Stubborn.
Dad wasn't one for debate. Anyone who knew Vinny knew you couldn't win an argument with him. There was always only one way to do something. Vinny's way! His sisters knew how to push his buttons and get him riled up by making sure to disagree about the silliest things. Being the only male in a family of 8 was a tough role!
Adventurer:
He loved to take off for a road trip. Sunday drives in the country, a stop to watch the airplanes take off and land and of course boats and RVs were always a big part of his life. Dad loved heading off to Florida or anyplace he could feel free.
There are so many other things to remember. His life wasn't easy but he taught me all that is good in the world. He will forever be My Hero.
Vinny Conway
5/03/1938 - 1/04/2023
Read More
