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Obituary

Mr. John Joseph Conroy, a lifelong resident of Babylon Village, passed away at the age of 89 on July 9, 2020 peacefully in his home of 70 years just as he had wished. What a wonderful life! John, known as Jack by his family and friends, was born in Babylon on October 30, 1930 to the late Edward and Florence Conroy. He joined his big brother, E. Donald, and later two sisters Patricia (Egner) and Susan (Conroy-Kuc) completed the family. Jack attended St. Joseph’s Catholic Elementary School and Babylon High School where he was active in sports, drama, and the debate club. He pursued a degree in business at Providence College, graduating in 1952. At Providence, he made many friends newly home from WW II and Jack quickly learned how to keep up with the older veteran students at Bradley’s Pub off campus. His time at Providence was transformative and he loved studying many theologians especially the teachings of St. Thomas Aquinas. He also received two Masters in Higher Education later in his career from SUNY New Paltz and SUNY Albany and earned his NYS Administrative Degree through Stony Brook University. Throughout his life he was an active learner, always reading, watching the many news programs, and keeping up with documentaries, sports (Let’s Go Mets) and all the current issues in politics. After college Jack enlisted in the United States Air Force. He was a flight navigator in the Starfire Jet. He served at air force bases in Presque Isle, Maine, Rome, N.Y. and Thule, Greenland. Being stationed in Thule was a source of great pride. He and Captain Joe Manning flew countless missions over the Artic. Jack was honorably discharged from the Air Force in June 1956. He was a proud veteran and truly loved his country.

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He met the love of his life, Maureen Ann Hopkins, while working his summer job at the Fire Island ferry terminal. Many happy memories were made while dating Maureen and they became an inseparable couple that dated for over four years while Jack was in the Air Force. Jack and Maureen married in 1957, their marriage of 63 years was “True Love”. Jack and Maureen had four daughters who grew up in the same house Jack did on Lakeland Avenue. The Four M’s: Maura Anne (Stockwell), Margaret Mary (Anderson) Meghan Maureen (Lyon) and Mary Kate (Gutierrez) enjoyed many adventures with their father, including traveling all over the US, camping, visiting family, farming at his cousin’s dairy farm, and always finding a new way to get to a new place via his MANY MAPS! Later in life, he took on the role of Grandfather aka “Poppy Jack” perfectly. He never missed a concert, sports event, play or graduation celebration. He was the best cheerleader/fan/and playmate to all his nine grandchildren and his four great grandchildren. Jack’s many nieces and nephews were always given sage advice, without being bossy, about life. Jack and Maureen loved supporting their extended family and were especially gifted “listeners” when someone was struggling with life challenges. One always felt better after spending some time with Jack and Maureen.

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After a short business career, Jack found his calling in teaching. He taught fifth grade for over 33 years at Deer Park Avenue Elementary School in North Babylon. He also ran the Gifted and Talented Program for the District. His 5th grade class was famous for their marionette shows, hi-tech AV classes, outdoor education trips, and his “GO Around” test when students called out facts and figures after memorizing them. Years later students would recall they used what was learned in Mr. Conroy’s class each day. Jack’s proudest achievements were when students finally understood a concept after many tries. He made time to give students unique ways to learn when the first attempt failed. Jack’s passion for teaching was contagious and his students loved every minute in his class. Jack was president of the North Babylon Teacher’s Organization and Administrator for the evening Adult Education Program. Perhaps he was best cherished by his colleagues for the zany retirement party performances he and his buddy Dan Murphy performed. Jack’s love for politics was a serious obsession. In the 1960’s he ran for Suffolk County Executive as a Conservative Party candidate. Jack, his brother Don and other village residents formed a new political party for the Babylon Village community called the BETTER BABLYON party. This team helped elect E. Donald “Don” Conroy as Babylon Village Mayor. Jack was an active member of the Better Babylon Party and many other community groups, committees, and organizations. This includes the Babylon Village Zoning Board of Appeals, the Lion’s Club, The Conklin House, The Ancient Order of Hibernians, The E. Donald Conroy Scholarship Fund Committee, the Hibernia Festival Singers, Babylon Village Historical Society.

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Jack enjoyed many things in life and food was extremely high on his list. He could never pass a bakery without stopping to sample the bread or pastries. He was also proud of his “house account” at Glenn’s Dinette where he was often found having lunch or picking up take-out. Many nights Jack timed his arrival home, bringing a loaf of semolina bread, just as Maureen began serving the family dinner. Jack was an art lover and thoroughly enjoyed buying original art whenever he had the chance. Of special interest was his discovery of a special artisan in the Mohawk Valley area of New York, who created lawn ornaments called “Whirly Gigs”. Several of these engineering marvels were commissioned by Jack and he also arranged with the artist to receive a new “Whirly Gig” whenever the artist made one for a friend or neighbor. After several years, Jack had amassed over 60 Whirly Gigs and petitioned the Fenimore Art Museum in Cooperstown, NY to acquire several of them for their permanent collection. And they did! Most of all he collected friendships. He cherished all he knew. Jack and Maureen enjoyed traveling to visit family and friends. A favorite journey was back to the old sod (Ireland) to visit family homes in Tipperary, Longford and Rosmuc. Many summers were spent in Towanda, PA where they enjoyed many years in their summer farmhouse. Family and friends loved to gather at their extra-long dining room table to share fresh sweet corn and sweet times. Later they enjoyed summers on the St. Lawrence River in Oak Point, NY. They viewed many wonderful sunsets over the river and enjoyed cocktails on the porch with Jim and Joan Hopkins and many neighbors and friends. Jack would row his St. Lawrence Skiff to Canada while dodging the merchant ships as they navigated the river channel.

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Jack was a devout catholic and dedicated to the Traditional Latin Mass. He was baptized at St. Joseph’s Church in Babylon Village and grew in his faith with the instruction of the Sisters at St. Joseph’s Catholic School. One of his proudest moments was winning a classroom competition. He shared how the priest reached in his pocket to retrieve a prize and handed over his own rosary, worn by hours of prayer. Jack was so proud and kept the rosary in his “treasure box”. Jack and Maureen followed their love of the Traditional Mass to Ave Maria Chapel in Westbury N.Y. and St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church in Farmingville, N.Y. He taught catechism for more than a dozen years at St. Michael’s. Currently they attend the Latin Mass at St. Matthew’s Roman Catholic Church in Dix Hills, N.Y. The Traditional Latin Requiem Mass will be offered by Pastor Father Robert Hewes on Tuesday, July 14th. Due to health concerns during this time attendance at the Wake and Funeral Mass is for Family Members Only. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Jack’s memory to one of these charities and organizations: The John and Maureen Conroy Scholarship Fund Providence College OIA 1 Cunningham Square Providence, RI 02918 The Nathaniel Conklin House 280 Deer Park Ave. Babylon, NY 11702 Babylon Village Historical Society 153 Main St. Babylon, NY 11702 The Mayor E. Donald Conroy Scholarship Fund P.O. Box 773 Babylon, NY 11702-0773

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He is the beloved husband of Maureen Ann (Hopkins) Conroy. Devoted father of Maura (Conroy) Stockwell & her husband Dr. Dave Stockwell, Margaret (Conroy) Anderson & her husband Karl Anderson, Meghan (Conroy) Lyon & her husband Rick Lyon and Mary Kate (Conroy) Gutierrez & her husband Dr. Ramiro Gutierrez. Cherished grandfather of Sean (Emily) Stockwell, Ryan Stockwell, Kelsey (Stockwell) Bostick and her husband Captain Joseph Bostick, Jack Anderson, Ricky Lyon, Kay Lyon, R.J Gutierrez, Conor Gutierrez and Maureen Gutierrez. Proud great grandfather of Amelia & Lucas Stockwell and Daniel & Gloria Bostick. Loving brother of Susan Conroy-Kuc. Dear brother-in-law of Joan Hopkins and Dr. John Egner. Jack is also survived by his many nieces, nephews and extended family that he greatly loved.