Matthew Edward Conway

Fearless problem solver and music lover Matt Conway figured out at the age of 4 how to rig his new children's record player to play standard 33s.

His older brother, Paul, let him experiment with a few of his albums. He recalls coming home from school to find Matt leaning back in a chair inside a freshly constructed fortress of couch cushions, coloring book in his lap, listening intently to George Harrison's "Within You Without You" - the psychedelic sitar track from Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.

Matthew Conway, adored and adoring husband, father, son, brother and friend, environmental scientist, gifted musician, constant adventurer and generous neighbor, died on Saturday, Jan. 31, in Tempe at age 58.

Matt was born in Warwick, Rhode Island, on May 5, 1967, to William and Marie Conway, the youngest of their three sons. He grew up in Greenfield, Massachusetts, after moving there when he was 3. His childhood included lots of time in the snow, and Matt became a strong skier at a young age, spending time with his cousins Kurt, Scott and Traci in Stowe, Vermont, at Aunt Toni and Uncle Fred's ski lodge.

After his older brothers moved on to college, Matt enjoyed extensive traveling with his parents and learning to play guitar while attending Greenfield High School. He enrolled in Long Island University at Southampton where he made the most of his college years, living in a cheap rental in Southampton while working as a groundskeeper for some of America's wealthiest and highest profile citizens. Summers were spent playing music at beach bonfires, catching Grateful Dead shows and forming friendships that have endured.

Matt graduated from Long Island University with a BA in Sociology and moved to Arizona to attend graduate school at Arizona State University, earning a Master's of Environmental Planning. He made lifelong friends at ASU, joining them to check out local bands, play music and find tons of opportunities for fun, even though in classes he was a reserved and serious student. His musical talents continued to develop as he hooked up for jams at Papago Park ramadas that became regular gatherings. Even then, Matt was bringing people together and building community.

He eventually moved into a house with one of these grad school friends, Tom, who would become his bandmate, and Tom's partner Hank. Tom and Hank made the most important introduction of Matt's life, acquainting him with Hank's old college friend Jacqui Klossman when she came for a visit with Hank's friend Susie from the East Coast in February 1993. Matt was so lovestruck that he wrote to Jacqui after she returned home. Jacqui returned to Arizona soon after and fell just as hard for Matt.

After a courtship full of hiking, concerts and camping adventures, Matt and Jacqui married in 1995 and moved in the historic Maple Ash neighborhood in Tempe, a community they became deeply involved in preserving and celebrating.

Professionally, Matt built a long and meaningful career in environmental safety. He spent 25 years at Ping, where he rose through the ranks to become Director of Environmental, Health and Safety, in charge of compliance for a 50 acre campus for this significant global enterprise in Arizona, and evaluating issues on a global basis in Asia and Europe. Matt travelled the world, including to China and Vietnam, to share and expand his knowledge. His mentor and colleague, Rawleigh Grove, emphasized Matt's commitment to looking out for everyone's safety, always responding to new challenges with, "I'll get it done." Matt helped lead the company toward greener practices, guided critical decisions during COVID, supported reusable and eco focused efforts, and freely shared his expertise through industry associations and community outreach; he looked out for everyone's safety, and did it all without ego. He will be missed deeply by all who had the privilege to work with him.

He also lived a double life as a safety director and musician, playing bass with good friends in their band The Shammys, and various incarnations of the band, which over the years booked gigs in dive bars and proper venues alike. Matt shared his passion for music with his daughters, forming a band with Esme and Francesca on violin, performing for friends at regular celebrations and professional gigs at Irish pubs.

Through every note and every journey, Matt's calm, kind and grounded spirit drew people in. He didn't put off enjoying life - he lived it fully, intentionally and with great heart. His life revolved around his family, where he was the rock in a household that was never still. The Conways hosted more celebrations than can be counted, serving as a hub for their extended network of close friends. With his family he went rock climbing in Zion, hiked through Scotland and Ireland, trekked Mont Blanc with Jacqui, and explored the landscapes of Israel and Jordan. They camped and rambled all over Arizona, finding wonder in every corner of the world they journeyed together.

Matt is survived by the love of his life Jacqui, their daughters Francesca and Esme, his mother Marie, brothers Paul and Chris and their spouses Sue and Ester, and a large and loving extended family.

In memory of Matt, please consider making a donation to the Conway Compound and its constituents in place of flowers. Please make a check out to Jacqui Conway, or Zelle to (602) 435-2968 or Venmo to @Jacqui-Conway.

The funeral will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10. There will be a service at the Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale, followed by a graveside service at Holy Redeemer Catholic Cemetery in Phoenix.