John Edward Conway

1931 - 2025

John Edward Conway
December 2, 2025
John Edward Conway passed away peacefully on December 2, 2025 surrounded by his children who cherished him. Born on April 7th, 1931 in Schenectady, NY, he was the son of Matthew and Anna (Slattery) Conway. He grew up on Cornell Street and attended St. Luke's Church where he and his brothers were alter boys. John graduated from Mount Pleasant High School and went on to earn bachelor's degrees in both sociology and accounting from Siena College. He served with the U.S. Army in Korea until 1955 and then returned to New York where he began a successful career with IBM, lasting 37 years. On August 9th, 1958, John married the love of his life, Dorothy Christensen of Troy, NY. They started their family in Kingston, NY and later moved to Ridgefield, CT where they spent 30 years raising their seven children, affectionately referred to as their "jewels". John was dedicated to his family, coaching basketball at the gym at St. Mary's school, teaching CCD, and annually leading the Conway clan and their friends through the neighborhood on Halloween. John passed on his love of skiing, teaching all seven of his kids, first at High Pond in Brandon, VT and later at Stratton Mountain. During the summers, John could be found on the tennis courts at Lakeside playing mixed doubles with his wife or wowing his Thursday evening tennis group with his ambidextrous forehand. John was a gifted storyteller, sharing adventurous tales with his children and grandchildren who would curl up next to him to listen.
In 1995, John and his wife Dorothy moved to Cape Cod to enjoy retirement, returning to the place where they shared their honeymoon. Their home was a place all were welcome and was most often full of family and friends. John enjoyed nearly three decades on the Cape, golfing and visiting the ocean beaches with his wife, children, and grandchildren.
Although John was predeceased by his wife, Dorothy, his adoration for her never retreated and he lived each day with the commitment to honor her memory. He was also predeceased by his brothers Matthew J. Conway Jr., Patrick F. Conway, Francis J. Conway and Joseph D. Conway. He is survived by his sister, Elizabeth (Conway) Jagelski and his children John Conway, Maureen Burns and her husband, Peter, Matthew Conway and his wife, Lisa, Ellen Conway, Michael Conway and his wife, Paula, Catherine Racz and her husband, Ed, and Patricia Iannetta and her husband, Rudy; twenty-two grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.
John was a man of unwavering integrity, discipline and moral courage. He was a life-long learner, a voracious reader and a patient listener. He had the ability to make others feel seen, heard, and truly valued. His example will continue to inspire us. Though his voice is now silent, the echoes of his compassion and wisdom will remain in the hearts of those he touched.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, January 10, 2026 at St. Mary's Church, 55 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield CT. Interment will be private.
Donations may be sent to in his memory to Bay to Sound Neighbors, PO Box 1505, South Dennis, MA 02660 or Regional Hospice of Danbury (regionalhospicect.org), 30 Milestone Road, Danbury, CT 06810.