Thomas Copeland Conley

Conley, Thomas Copeland
Passed away peacefully at 8pm Christmas Eve 2013. Survived by his wife of 68yrs, Evelyn & his eight children; Patrice, Kevin, Karen Girgenti (Tony), Colleen, Kathleen Connolly (Tim), Terrence (Patricia), Erin Keith (Kerry), & Monica. Grandfather to eighteen & great grandfather to 20. Loved and revered by many, he started his life journey in Hamilton County, Indiana May 12th, 1921. He was born to Ruby and Frank Conley, the second of 3 sons, Charles, Tom and William. He attended Arcadia High School, received a scholarship for basketball, and completed his civil engineering degree at the University of Hawaii and Purdue University. In June 1942, Tom joined the Navy and became a Seabee, serving in the pacific theatre during World War II. In December 1945, he was honorably discharged at the rank of carpenters mate first class. In August 1945, he married the love of his life, Evelyn. Tom and Evelyn moved to Indianapolis in the early 1950s and Tom became the Indianapolis City Civil Engineer from 1964 to 1968. Subsequently, Tom was named city engineer for Hammond, IN, moving his family to Hammond in 1968. Tom retired in 1985 spending his time in Indiana and Arizona with his kids and grandkids. Tom had a wonderful lust for life and celebration! He loved fishing, sports, games, family time, and serving his community and church. Tom dearly loved his wife Evelyn, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. A lifelong practicing Catholic his faith in our Lord Jesus Christ was lived every day in acts of love great and small. He was truly our best example on how to live our life! He will be missed, but never forgotten. His legacy lives on through his many descendants. Please visit the family's website, www.melcherchapelofroses.com.