Obituary of Richard Conway

Richard "Ric" A. Conway, 63, flew to the heavens on August 21, 2020, full of dignity, courage and grace. A true warrior, he bravely battled cancer, defying all odds and expectations for over 2 and 1/2 years. 

 

He was born on March 17,1957 in Newark, NJ, the son of the late Edward and Margaret (Pullman) Conway and was employed as a foreman and roofer for Barber Construction, Inc. for over 30 years.

 

One of Ric’s greatest passions in life was racing homing pigeons. At the young age of 7 years, his mother gifted him a pair of birds to keep him occupied and off the streets. He soon became the  youngest member of the Bayshore Racing Pigeon Club in New Jersey and went on to join many clubs over the years. He has been a member of the Erie Racing Pigeon Club in Erie, Pa. for over 30 years where he became a champion racer winning many ribbons and trophies. He was also an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, trapping and,  sometimes, just sitting in his stand watching the wildlife go by.

 

To know Ric was to love Ric. He had a quick wit and sense of humor as well as the unique ability to be polite, grumpy, blunt, lovable and humorous all at the same time.  This is a trait very few could ever pull off quite like him and one that all who knew him will miss. Ric kept that wit right up to the end asking the nurses if his hair had lost its curl...hair which had fallen out weeks earlier following his radiation therapy. 

 

Surviving Ric are his wife, his 'Brighteyes',  of 35 years, Sandra (Gross) Conway; three sons, Shawn Conway, Richard Conway, Jr. and Justin ( John Fisher) Wilkins, all of Westfield; three daughters, April ( Garry) Lanphere of Westfield, Jessica (Andrew) Hazenberg of Jamestown and Tiffany (Victor Sanchez) Conway of Westfield; three brothers, Edward Conway of Mayville, Victor Conway of Conneaut, Ohio and Kevin ( Darlene) Conway of Ashville, NY; two sisters, Donna Conway of Sherman and Alice (Doug) Burnett of Mayville; twelve cherished grandchildren, Emmily (Jeff) Nelson, Nicholas, Tayllor and Greysson Lanphere, Mariah and Elijiah Dros, Isaiah and Josiah Sanchez, Tage Hazenberg, Eric, Evan and Adalyn Conway; two great grandchildren, Myla and Finn Nelson.

 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Cindy “ Peachy” Conway.

 

Private services were held by the family. A Celebration of Ric’s life will be held in Barcelona, September 12 th, at the Moose Beach Pavilions from 1-4 pm.

 

In lieu of flowers, Ric has asked that donations be made in his honor to Hunt of a Lifetime, a non-profit organization with a mission to grant hunting and fishing dreams for children age 21 and younger who have been diagnosed with life threatening illnesses or life threatening disabilities. Please visit huntofalifetime.org.

 

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mason Funeral Home 37 Clinton St. Westfield, NY.

 

Condolences may be shared at www.mason funeral.com.

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