Father John Patrick Conley

1943 - 2015

Father John Patrick Conley

Died November 4, 2015 at the age of 71 at his residence in South San Francisco.

John was born December 10, 1943 in Detroit, Michigan to Elizabeth B. McNamara and William R. Conley. John attended Catholic Central High School in Detroit, and graduated from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa in 1965 with a degree in history. He completed his legal studies at Detroit College of Law in 1971. John's life was driven by a fierce sense of justice, seeking to right what he perceived to be wrong. He learned to stand his ground as the youngest of seven children, in a family that valued education as much as the art of the argument.

In his early 30s John was appointed by President Gerald Ford as Chief Federal Prosecuting Attorney for Southwest Michigan. He served as Chief of the Criminal Division of the United States Department of Justice in Detroit where he had a distinguished career as a federal prosecutor, tackling public corruption, fraud and murder cases and taking one-time Teamsters President Jimmy Hoffa before a federal grand jury.

John came to San Francisco in 1983 serving as an attorney with the Federal Bankruptcy Court, Northern California District. Throughout his life he felt a calling to the priesthood, which he acted on at the age of 45. John entered St. Patrick's Seminary and was ordained to the priesthood on April 17, 1993 at Saint Mary's Cathedral by Archbishop John R. Quinn. He served as Parochial Vicar at Saint Brendan Church, Saint Mary's Cathedral, Saint Bartholomew Church, Saint Catherine of Siena Church, and Saint Philip the Apostle Church. Father John retired January 1, 2003, and lived independently for ten years until his health necessitated his move to an assisted care facility in South San Francisco.

He was a proud and active member of the sober community for 37 years, mentoring countless fellows on their shared journey to wholeness. John was a gifted storyteller, whether from the pulpit or across the table at Starbuck's, he reveled in touching people's lives with his words. Knowing John left an imprint.

He is survived by his oldest sister, Jane Anne Williams of Michigan, 21 nieces and nephews, 37 great nieces and nephews, 17 great-great nieces and nephews, dozens of cousins and legions of friends around the country. The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to his caregivers at Damenik's Care Home and the staff and volunteers with Mission Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Mission Hospice https://www.missionhospice.org or St. Jude's Children Hospital https://www.stjude.org.

All are welcome to attend a celebration of John's life on Friday November 13, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at Most Holy Redeemer Church, 100 Diamond St., San Francisco. For more information contact Sullivan's Funeral Home 415-621-4567.