“The best portion of a good man’s life is his little nameless unremembered acts of kindness and of love.”
– William Wordsworth
It is with heavy hearts and loving memories that the Conway family announce the passing of our beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, father-in law and friend, Leo Conway, on April 8th, 2021. We are comforted to know he passed in peace with family by his side, and the comfort of his strong Catholic faith to console him.
Leo was predeceased by the two loves of his life, his first wife Judy (Ryan) Conway and his wife in later years Barbara Gillies Sweeney. Also welcoming him home are his cherished sons Jim and David, and daughter-in-law Shauna.
Leo was a graduate of Concordia University and enjoyed a successful career at Wyeth-Ayerst in the marketing department. He spent his early married years volunteering for Montreal’s Catholic Children’s Aid Society and was always an active member of his local parish. Leo loved history and story telling and happily shared these stories with anyone interested. Having lived through the Great Depression, WW2, a technological revolution and a pandemic, he had a vast amount of life experience to draw upon. He loved the outdoors and shared this with his children through many camping trips, bike rides and ski excursions.
His proudest accomplishment was his role as Patriarch to his large family of 7 children, 20 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren and his treasured extended Sweeney family including 15 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. He was the much loved father and teacher to Stephen, the late David (Beth), the late Jim (Shirley), Anne (James), Susan (Scott), Lorne (the late Shauna ) and Bruce (Theresa). His many grandchildren remember him as a kind, funny and wise influence on their lives that will have an everlasting impact. They anticipated his visits with the knowledge that there would be pounds of brown sugar available for the oatmeal breakfasts he loved to share. We are grateful he taught us to treasure family above all else, and to live lives of kindness and compassion.
Leo had an especially important bond with his daughter in law, Shirley Conway, with whom he survived the plane crash in Montana which took his wife Judy and son Jim in 1985. They shared a resilience and inner strength that enabled them both to go on to live happy and meaningful lives.
A heartfelt thank you to the Manoir Beaconsfield team of caregivers for showing Leo compassion, kindness and providing the excellent care he so deserved. As many family members were unable to be present toward the end of his life, we are especially grateful to Bruce and Theresa for representing our family and being present daily to remind Dad just how much he was loved.
Plans for a funeral celebration will be made at a later date due to current COVID restrictions. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Alzheimer’s Society of Canada or MS Society of Canada.
RÉSIDENCE FUNÉRAIRE J.J. CARDINAL FUNERAL HOME
560 ch. Bord du Lac, Dorval (Québec) H9S 2B3
Tél. : 514-631-1511 | Téléc. : 514-631-1516 | Courriel : info@jjcardinal.ca