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Richard Conley Obituary
HOLDEN - Richard M. Conley, 85, of Holden and formerly of Sterling, died Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester after a long illness.
Dick leaves his wife of 52 years, Patricia (Shea) Conley; three children, Richard Conley, his wife Valerie Armbrust and their sons Liam and Quinn of Lowell, Shawna Feeley, her husband Seth and their daughters Mollie and Summer of Fairfield, CT., and Matthew Conley, his wife Erin Finnemore and their son Finnemore of Somerville; a brother, Col. William Conley USMC Ret. and his wife Kathleen of Dudley; and many nieces and nephews.
Dick was predeceased by three brothers, Lt. Col. Edwin Conley Jr., Thomas Conley and Jack Conley, and two sisters, Patricia Dowd and Joan Burke.
Dick was born February 6, 1936 in Worcester, son of Edwin J. and Marion (Mack) Conley. He lived in Sterling for more than 30 years before moving to Holden in 2005.
He was a graduate of St. John's High School, then on Temple St. in Worcester, and Worcester State College, where he also earned a master's degree in education.
Dick had a long career as an educator. After teaching in the Town of West Boylston for six years, he taught Math in the Worcester Public Schools at Burncoat Middle School for 34 years, where he also served as head of the Math department and retired as Assistant Principal.
He was very active in his community, serving on countless governmental and educational committees. He was a selectman in Sterling for ten years. Dick was a former coach and president of the Sterling Little League. He was involved with the Chocksett Club, Ocktoberfest Committee, and was the treasurer of the Sterling Lions Club for many years.
He also enjoyed golf and played regularly at Wachusett Country Club in West Boylston. He played great courses across the world whenever he traveled.
In his retirement years he enjoyed winters in Boynton Beach, Florida where he golfed and dined with many Worcester area friends.
There will be a calling hour Monday, April 12, at 10 a.m. in St. John's Church, 40 Temple St., Worcester, followed by a Mass in the church at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery, Sterling.
Memorial donations may be made to the St. John's Parish Food for the Poor program, 44 Temple St., Worcester, MA 01604.
The Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster St., Worcester, is directing funeral arrangements.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Richard Conley
Sponsored by Athy Memorial Home - Worcester.
Kerry Haley
April 23, 2021
I´m so sorry that I am just hearing of Dick´s passing. It was such a pleasure to spend time with him and Pat and some other family members at times. Although it was during treatment, we made the best of our time together. Talking sports: baseball, hockey, football..
My favorite sassy comment by Dick to me as a nurse was after I took out an IV and took some of his arm hair with the tape. He said " I´m coming out of retirement and going into the waxing business, just for payback". I´ve never forgotten that and have shared with many pts whom agree that the hair and tape thing stinks!
Praying your family will get through this difficult time with all the great memories of Dick and they are plentiful, for sure
Kerry
Nadine Russell
April 21, 2021
I have such wonderful memories of working with Dick Conley at Burncoat Middle School. He was a true friend and mentor.
Peter Morgan
April 18, 2021
My condolences to the Conley family on the passing of Mr Conley. Always very nice to us kids up on Newell Hill Rd. May he rest in peace
John & Anne Hedstrom
April 16, 2021
Dear Pat and children, please accept our condolences regarding Dick's passing. We have many fond memories of times at the Sterling little league games (the 'Steelers') and gatherings some evenings with the parents. Our reconnection recently at lunch with the Bonnell's is a time both John and I think of fondly and again we, you & I, share so much. May God hold you in His hands until you sense His healing spirit.
Kristen Sullivan
April 15, 2021
Dear Shawna, Matt, Rich & Mrs. Conley,
I am so very sorry for your loss. I had no idea & just learned of his passing today. May your memories help to ease some of your pain. Please know that I am thinking about all of you during this very sad time.
natalie pastore
April 14, 2021
I was a teacher at Burncoat when Dick was there. Living near the summit, we were frequently on the same bus. He caught my eye because he and his brother were so handsome----strikingly so. When I told Dick this story, he told me why he was always on the bus. It seems that he and his brother rode the bus every Saturday until they got a date. I can never forgot the hilarity of that. What determination.
Paul M. Sushchyk
April 12, 2021
Dear Pat and family:
My condolences and deepest sympathies on the passing of Richard. I had the pleasure of knowing Mr. Conley for many years and serving with him on the Sterling Board of Selectmen. He was intelligent and gracious person, of unswerving, selfless devotion to his family and to the Town of Sterling. Dick had a wonderful sense of humour and a kind dispostion. His presence with be greatly missed by all of us.
Betty Salmon
April 11, 2021
Dear Pat and family,
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Dick. He was such an inspiration of strength and courage to all of us.
DaveRaphael
April 11, 2021
Dear Pat so sorry to hear this sad news my Thoughts and Prayers are with you and your family. With Sympathy.
Dave Raphael
Vinnie Di Benedetto
April 11, 2021
Sending prayers to all the Conley family Dick was a ver good golfing friend of mine I played with Dick and the group on Wednesday mornings and the Wachusett early league Dick and I won the championship in 2015 he was a very good golfer he was my (A) man
Bill & Beth Martellotta
April 11, 2021
Our sincere sympathy on the recent passing of Dick. We have many happy memories of Dick and Patty when they were living in Sterling.
Patricia Barrie
April 11, 2021
Dear family, sending my prayers & sympathy to you all. What a great guy & what a fight he had to fight. Not sure how I met him, but I just seemed to bump into him everywhere & since he remembered my license plate number & I his, the waves were numerous. Maybe it was the connection that I used to work in the office under what would become your house in Sterling. However, the time I met him in the cancer center @ St. V's was the saddest as I knew he had a hard fight ahead of him. I had seen him afterwards & was happy he was fighting. He is now at peace & not suffering. Rest in Peace my friend & thank you for always having a smile & upbeat attitude.
Mary Conley
April 11, 2021
Aunt Pat, Richard, Shawna, and Matt. Sincerest sympathies. I too have great memories of Uncle Dicky and his sports cars. I also remember watching the landing on the moon with Aunt Pat and Uncle Richard in their sterling home. My dad probably dropped me off to be babysat. Ha ha. I know that uncle Dickie loved his family. Unfortunately I am out of state until next week I will not be able to attend services
The Montaque Family
April 11, 2021
Pat, Shawna, Richard, Matt, we give you our deepest sympathy during this time. Our memories of you all as neighbors are fond ones, we enjoyed sharing the corner with you for so many years. Matt, you will always be remembered as our paper boy. We loved your dad dearly. Memories of him and your family will be treasured forever in our hearts. Pat, we have so enjoyed keeping connected with the happenings of your family since you and Dick have moved through your Facebook posts. Please know that you all are in our thoughts and prayers. Love, Mary, Milton, Artie, Mariyan and Aldwyn
Tom and Rosie Donahue
April 11, 2021
Dear Pat
Sorry to hear of Dick´s passing. We are in Florida and will be unable to attend services. We remembered and prayed for Dick and also for you at yesterday´s mass
Our thoughts are with you.
Fondly
Rosie and Tom
and also for you at yesterday´s mass.
Barbara Kirklauskas
April 11, 2021
I was very sorry to hear of the passing of Dick. My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this sad time.
May you find comfort in your cherished memories.
Francine Gouvin Bernard
April 10, 2021
Dear Shawna and family, I send your my deepest condolences on the death of your father. Your photos and FB postings over the years have brought your family into my heart. Please give your mother my love and big hugs to you, Seth, Mollie and Summer.
Christopher and Jill Shea
April 10, 2021
Patty...we are so sorry to hear about Dick's passing...sending prayers to you.
Bob and Liz Graham
April 10, 2021
We shared great memories with Dick and Pat during our Florida winters. He was a dear friend and will be sorely missed.
Bob Baxter
April 10, 2021
I was saddened to learn of Dick´s passing . I offer my deepest condolences to his Wife Patricia and his children and grandchildren . He was a co teacher of mine for many years in Worcester both teaching math and was a mentor to me in many ways in my early years of teaching . My prayers today will be offered in sympathy to his loved ones.
Marilyn And Rod
April 10, 2021
To Pat and family, so deeply saddened to learn of Dick´s passing. He was truly one of the best guys ever. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.
Donna Bottis
April 10, 2021
Dear Pat, I am so sorry to hear this sad news. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. With Sympathy,
Donna
Helen Shea
April 10, 2021
Dear Patty and family, my deepest sympathy in the passing of Dick. Sincerely, Helen Shea
Jake Burke
April 9, 2021
One terrific guy who I was fortunate to know. Thanks for being great to me, Mr. Conley.
Tom Johnson
April 9, 2021
To the Conley Family-The thoughts and prayers of the Johnson Family are with you all. My Parents (Bob and Sheila Johnson) had many great days over the years and I truly enjoyed playing golf with Dick and the High Point groups when I visited Boynton Beach. May your great memories sustain you and give you peace in this difficult time.
Monk and Candie Paakkonen
April 9, 2021
We are so very sorry to hear about Dick. He was a wonderful man with a great sense of humor. We will always remember the good times.
Kathy Barry
April 9, 2021
Uncle Dickie was the best Uncle! When we were kids he always had a sporty car and would think nothing of taking all of his nieces & nephews for ice cream and we would be hanging out the car windows with our ice cream dripping all over the car and he would never yell - just laugh!
He was truly a great man. RIP Uncle Dickie.
Kathy Barry
Bob Doyle
April 9, 2021
I could always make Dickie Laugh ! RIP Cuz !
Jeanne Salvatore
April 9, 2021
Our sincerest heart felt condolences for your loss. Dick was a gentle caring and fun to be with friend. We have many happy memories golfing with him and Pat and going out to eat in Florida. May God guide all of his Family through these difficult times and may all his memories be eternal.
Sorry we won't be able to attend Dick's services as we are in Florida.
Lovingly Sal & Jeanne Salvatore
Jim Garvey
April 9, 2021
Great teacher,always ready to help when needed in any circumstance.
Martha Wally
April 9, 2021
I am so sorry to learn of Dick's death. He was a wonderful presence in my life when we worked together. He made a difference in the lives of so many by his kind and compassionate interactions. My sincere sympathy to all who loved him.
Hope Abisamra
April 9, 2021
Please accept my deepest sympathy. I recall attending Dick's wedding. He was a pleasant colleague with a great sense of humor. May God comfort his family.
Joe Murphy
April 9, 2021
I was deeply saddened to read of Dick's passing. I enjoyed working with him at Burncoat Middle. He and I shared the same office space. My sons also had him as their algebra teacher and were extremely well prepared for high school. RIP Dick. Slaite
Tom Noonan
April 9, 2021
My condolences to Dick´s family.
Dick was a great teacher & I enjoyed his wit and stories when we we together at Burncoat.
Tom Noonan
Viincnt Crosby
April 9, 2021
Please accept my sincere condolences
Joe Gunther
April 8, 2021
Warmest condolences to Pat and the kids. R I P, Dick.
Dorothy Bratiotis
April 8, 2021
My sympathies to Pat and family. Dick and I go back many years as both colleagues and friends. He was a very special person. Over the years I came to appreciate how kind and caring he was with both colleagues and students. Rest In Peace, Dick. May your family take solace in many wonderful memories.
Rich & Terri Feeley
April 8, 2021
We were sorry to hear of Dick´s passing, though we knew of the courageous battle he fought with his illness for the past 5-6 years. He was one very tough Irishman. Our condolences to Pat, Shawna, Rich, Matt and the entire Conley clan.
Our son Seth married Pat and Dick´s daughter Shawna about 25 years ago, and it has been a great honor to be part of the Conleys´ extended family. Our family could not have been luckier than to have such wonderful folks as our son´s in laws, and our granddaughters´ maternal grandparents.,
We´re sorry that traveling from Florida to the funeral isn´t an option for us, but we will be there in spirit.
We are blessed to have crossed paths with Dick in our lives, he was a gem.
RIP, Dick.
Lanny Tower
April 8, 2021
Pat
Sorry to hear of Dick´s passing. It was a long struggle. I will always remember the good times at Burncoat and on the golf course. Rest In Peace Dick
Lanny Tower
Judy (Lambert) Crossman
April 8, 2021
Mr Conley was my math teacher at Burncoat Junior High. He was a great teacher! It was 48 years ago, but I always remembered him! God bless
Betty
April 8, 2021
I was at Burncoat Middle when Mr. Conley was the Assistant Principal what a wonderful person to work for. Very Professional. May he Rest in Peace and know he made a difference in my teaching career. GOD BLESS YOU Mr. Conley
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