Joseph P. Conley Sr.

Pawtucket – Joseph P. Conley, Sr., 92, passed away on Thursday, April 4, 2024 surrounded by his family. He was the beloved husband of Barbara (Valade) Conley. Together they would have celebrated their 70th anniversary this October 2nd. They were married at St Mary's Church in Pawtucket, RI, with their reception at Baldi's Tavern followed by a honeymoon to Niagara Falls. A lifelong resident of Pawtucket, he was a son of the late George, Sr., and Frances (Gilbride) Conley.
Joseph attended Saint Mary's grammar school in Pawtucket followed by St. Raphael Academy in Pawtucket where he graduated with the class of 1950. During his career he also took classes at Rutgers. He was a United States Army veteran of the Korean War in the 43rd Division Company A 118th Engineers. He went on to a career with Eastern Utilities (formerly Blackstone Valley Electric) and was chosen as the Blackstone Valley Electric Company's "Community Service 1990 Man of the Year". Joe was called upon by the electric company anytime interviews were held with the news media, because of his familiarity with the entire system. Joe started out in the line department, worked streetlights and worked his way up to Lead Systems Operator. When Joe retired at age 62, he began enjoying a long happy retirement.
Joe and his wife, Barbara were longtime communicants of Holy Family Parish in Pawtucket, where he served as an usher and collector for many years.
He was also very active with many organizations. Joe was known by all as fair and honest in everything he did thus was always asked to be more involved. He was a former member of the Pawtucket Elks Lodge # 920. Joe also served as past co-chairman of the St. Patrick's Day Parade, the Oktoberfest Committees, Secretary of the Board of Trustees, and Investigating Committee & Scholarship Committee.
Joe was also a member of the American Legion and VFW. He was also a longtime member of the Ireland's "32" Society in Warwick. and the Rhode Island Club in Largo, Florida, where he and his wife wintered for many years until 2023. Joe would cook for the annual Rhode Island Club picnics. In Florida Joe was active in the homeowner's association and was President for a few years. Together, many years ago, they enjoyed square dancing. Joe was the former vice-president of the Rhode Island Federation of Square and Round Dancing Clubs and President of the Gals & Pals Club. Joe was also very involved at St. Raphael Academy in Pawtucket. He chaperoned many events, including trips to NYC, was the drama club electrician, and was the Chairperson for the first Annual Fund Appeal in 1990. He was involved with Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts and his ability to fix anything was most useful for camp outs. Joe enjoyed his summer home at Spring Lake in Burrillville where many family friends had parties and enjoyed the lake activities.
Above all, Joe was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He will be lovingly remembered by all whose lives he has touched over the past ninety-two years.
Besides his loving wife, Joe leaves three children, Reed D. Conley and his wife, Linda, of Branchburg, NJ, Karen M. Conley-Orlando and her husband, Anthony, of Burrillville, and Darlene F. Codega of Fall River; four grandchildren, Brandon, Ryan and Ashley Le May, and Amanda Chattelle; four great-grandchildren, Thomas A. Roy, IV, Tyler and Mavis Roy, and Joseph Le May-Doyle and many nieces and nephews. He was the father of the late Dr. Joseph P. Conley, D.O., father-in-law of the late John Codega and the brother of the late Francis Conley, Margaret "Peggy" Coleman and George Conley, Jr.
Relatives and friends are welcome to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, April 12th at 11 a.m. in St. Joseph Church of Holy Family Parish, 195 Walcott St., Pawtucket. Flowers and calling hours are respectfully omitted. Memorial gifts to the West Gloucester Fire Department, 2410 Putnam Pike, Chepachet, RI 02814 would be appreciated. Arrangements are entrusted to William W. Tripp Funeral Home, Pawtucket, RI. TrippFuneralHome.com