Thomas E. Conley

Thomas E. Conley II of Fort Mill, South Carolina died peacefully on August 9th, surrounded by family. He was 76. Creative and funny, his wit and wisdom will be missed by all who knew him.

Tom was born on August 12th, 1948 to parents Helen Cecelia Conley (née Heagstedt) and John Ross Conley. A native Chicagoan (go Cubs!), he was followed by brother Michael Patrick Conley and sister Kathleen Ellen Nemeth (Jimmy).

When Tom made friends, it was for life. Tom attended Loyola Academy, in Wilmette, and he maintained and tended the friendships he made there for almost sixty years. With friends and family he was always truthful and gave the best advice.

Tom attended the University of Delaware where he earned a BA in History, and his interest in history and learning continued from there. Tom was always hungry to know more and try new things.

He was a mortgage loan officer who loved working with first time homebuyers and helping them secure their American Dream. When he retired, he worked with at-risk youth to help them earn their high school diplomas.

His life-long love of education led Tom to constantly learn about, research, and visit colleges. Friends would even come to him knowing that he could tell them which school was the best for their kid.

He never stopped growing as a person. He was always open to new things. Constantly reading, he earned multiple degrees, and later in life took up writing, painting, and mountain biking. Already a lifetime proponent of fitness, taking up biking led to a love of racing, especially the Tour de France.

A life-long lover of animals, at home he always had a dog or two on his lap. He will be missed by Abbie, McGee, and Lizzie, who he doted on endlessly.

Tom is survived by his wife Robin Conley and three children, Ed Conley (Marshall), Lily Conley (Travis), and Michael Conley (Katie) as well as his brother, sister, and niece Belinda Nemeth (Kyle).

Services will be private, in lieu of flowers or other gifts, Tom would have appreciated any donations made to the Southern Poverty Law Center or The Arc Baltimore.