Stephen S. Conway Jr.

Stephen S. Conway, Jr. lived a life of profound faith, service, and joy, passing away on January 10, 2026, in his hundredth year.

Born on July 6, 1926 in Chicago, Illinois, he was the eldest of three children (d. Donna and Bernard) of Stephen Sr. and Helen (Moran) Conway. Steve grew up deeply rooted in the culture and convictions of Chicago's Irish Catholic community.

Steve's great-grandfather, Walter "Big Watt" Conway of Clonmel, County Tipperary and his family fled Ireland's poverty and oppression in 1852 and built a lasting legacy on Chicago's South Side. Towering at 6'7" and known for his hard work ethic and genial manner, Big Watt rose to become General Superintendent of the Armour Meatpacking Company. His success uplifted generations that followed-many of his sons and grandsons would hold management positions at Armour in later years.

Steve's grandfather Bryan worked for Armour and later served as an Illinois state representative from Chicago's First Ward.

Steve's father, a World War I Navy veteran, spent his career at the American Brakeshoe Company, where he met Helen Moran at the company's Burnside Plant and shortly thereafter proposed marriage. At the time, he was playing minor league baseball for The Chicago White Sox with aspirations of going to the big leagues. On the condition that he pursue his career at the company over baseball, they were married.

Steve was the first of three children born to Stephen and Helen. Steve attended Saint Barnabas grade school and St. Ignatius High School, where he played football and basketball.

At age 17, Steve enlisted in the U.S. Navy to serve in World War II, as a First-Class Signalman. Signalmen climbed swaying ladders to exposed crow's nests on battleships, enduring fierce winds and magnified ship rolls as they scanned the seas with binoculars, flashing urgent messages by flags during the day and signal lamps by night-all under radio silence. One wrong signal could be lethal amid the spray, vibration, and threat of attack.

After the war, Steve attended Purdue University (Class of 1951) and later joined his father at the American Brakeshoe Company as a sales trainee. Over the next 36 years, he rose to become the company's President and CEO-by then a major global corporation known as Abex.

In 1951, Steve married fellow South Sider Eleanor O'Toole at Christ the King Church. He would become the proud father of five, grandfather of twelve, and great-grandfather of two (and counting).

Steve's career took him and his family around the world, working with people from all walks of life-business owners, factory workers, politicians, and investors-from Chicago to Virginia, Mexico, Canada, France, Italy, Germany, England, India, and even Soviet-era Russia. He and his family made homes and lasting friendships in Chicago; Baltimore, Maryland; St. Paul, Minnesota; Paris, France; Birmingham and Bloomfield Hills, MI; New York City; Greenwich, Connecticut; and San Diego, California.

Steve embraced the athletic spirit. As a golfer, he joined the select circle of those who have shot their age-a feat accomplished multiple times. He was also a skillful squash player and frequent club champion. Driveways and yards became ice rinks, ball fields and tracks. Even in his nineties, he astonished neighbors by holding a seven-minute plank at his condo gym. He also claimed-though the details are hazy-to be the unofficial billiards champion of Ballyheigue, County Kerry.

Hands-on by nature, Steve relished rolling up his sleeves-at home in a board room or under the hood of a car fixing a mechanical problem. A voracious reader of nonfiction, he found real people and events far more compelling than fiction. Known as one of the funniest storytellers around and world class leg puller-especially with a glass of spirits and good company-Steve had endless curiosity and a genuine appreciation for people from all walks of life. His gut instincts and ability to get to the essence of a situation quickly was someting to behold. His favorite saying captured his approach to living: "People have more fun than anyone."

After retiring from his career at ABEX, Steve began a deeply meaningful new chapter in San Diego, where he dedicated his time and talents to Father Joe's Villages for the Homeless. It was there that he met his wife, Rita, and together they built a life rooted in service, companionship, and joy. Over their 36 years together, they shared a love of travel, community involvement, and welcoming others into their home.

Steve was warmly embraced by Rita's large Italian family and became a devoted stepfather to Monique and Lisa, a loving uncle, and, in later years, a cherished grandfather to Clara, Lily, EJ, and Ozskar. He had a gentle way with children and was known for reading to the youngest members of the family during gatherings. Sunday family lunches were a treasured tradition, often followed by spirited games of bocce ball. He was also an active member in his weekly gin rummy sessions with the Italians.

A man of strong faith and fellowship, Steve was an active member of the 7:30 a.m. St. Anne's church group, where he formed lasting friendships and remained a consistent presence in the community.

Steve and Rita were gracious hosts, known for their warm hospitality and lively gatherings. Steve's signature cocktail, the "Conway Special," became so popular that it was adopted by several establishments in San Diego and abroad. In his later years, Steve volunteered several days a week with the USO at San Diego International Airport, greeting and assisting service members as they arrived in the city.

An enthusiastic athlete well into later life, Steve played squash regularly with his niece Gracie and younger friends, never yielding to age or expectation. He was an avid golfer and proudly scored two holes in one at various golfing tournaments in Borrego Springs. His legendary determination was perhaps best embodied in his famous seven-minute plank at The Meridian. Whether rafting the Salmon River, houseboating on Lake Powell, skiing in Utah, or simply sharing laughter with family and friends, Steve lived fully and joyfully.

Steve's Catholic faith and moral convictions grounded him throughout life. He had a strong sense of right and wrong and the courage to speak up when others remained silent. Through decades of cultural change, this faith remained steadfast. Steve lived a life defined by generosity, humor, and unwavering connection to those around him. His kindness, vitality, and love of family and community will be remembered always.

Stephen is survived by: his loving and caring wife, Rita, his children Stephen (Betsy) of Lake Forest, Il; Bernard (Blathnaid) of Lahinch, Co Clare, Ireland; James of Virginia Beach, VA; John (Margot Bunn) of New York, NY; and Catherine (John Luessenhop) of Amagansett, New York, and two step-daughters Monique (Ari Nathan) of Barbados; Lisa Kovacs of San Diego, CA.; as well as 16 grandchildren Stephen, Bernard, John, Marie, Cormac, Galen, Brian, John, Charles, Dashiell, Orson, Otto, Lily, Clara, EJ, Oszkar, and great grandchildren Stephen and Charlotte; and Enza Jarjosa, Steve's caregiver in his final year.

" We look on past ages as a mere preparation for us…but what if we are a mere afterglow of them?"-J.G. Farrell

"Leaba i measc na naomh go raibh acu"