Shrewsbury – “I’ve fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith.” (II Timothy 4). Jack Conley lost his battle with cancer Thursday, April 2, 2015, but has achieved his eternal Easter. He was 77.
John H. Conley was born Nov. 26, 1937 in Worcester, a son of the late Edwin J. and Marion (Mack) Conley. He was a proud alumnus of Saint John’s High School, with the class of 1956, and was inducted to its National Honor Society Hall of Fame in 1981. He graduated from Worcester Junior College and University of Bridgeport, and served in the Army National Guard.
Jack married Judith M. Esper Oct. 1, 1960 in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Worcester, and had been a resident of Shrewsbury since 1976.
Jack was a quiet, kind-hearted, and gentle man whose love for his family and friends was evident throughout his life. Simply stated: Jack Conley was a good guy and he will be missed by so many people on whose life he left a lasting impression.
Jack loved his work for Perini Corporation in Framingham, where he worked for over 43 years, and he was good at it. Early on in his career, he was the Chief Field Engineer for the construction of Boston’s Prudential Building. He was instrumental in major construction projects as project manager throughout the country, including buildings at Boston College, Holy Cross, Logan Airport, Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant, the Devens Federal Prison, and a 500-bed hospital in Faheel, Kuwait. He retired in 2003.
Retirement afforded Jack more time on the golf course where he was a 25-year member of Pleasant Valley in Sutton. He enjoyed membership and the friendships that he developed in the Adelphi Council #4181 Knights of Columbus and played in its bocce league. He was also a member of the Shrewsbury Lions Club and the Italian American Victory Club and its bocce league in Shrewsbury. He looked forward to the Men’s Group gatherings every Thursday at the Shrewsbury Senior Center.
Throughout Jack’s entire life, his faith guided him and could be seen daily at St. Mary’s Church at Mass. His death during the church’s holiest time of year on Holy Thursday was a bittersweet blessing. Judy offers thanks to the Dr. David Shepro and the staff at St. Vincent Cancer Care Center for the wonderful care and support given to Jack during his sickness.
Jack knew that when his final day would come in heaven he would meet his God and be reunited with all who have gone before him, including his parents and family, Lt. Col. Edwin Conley Jr., Thomas Conley, Patricia Dowd and Joan Burke, George Esper and Barbara Esper.
Left to mourn his passing is his beloved wife and best friend of 55 years, Judy Conley; his siblings, Richard Conley and his wife, Patricia of Holden, Col. William Conley, USMC Ret. and his wife Kathleen of Dudley; his brother-in-law, Zachary Esper of Westborough; many nieces and nephews; and a host of great friends.
Family and friends will honor and remember Jack’s life by gathering for calling hours Tuesday, April 7, from 4-8 p.m., at Heald & Chiampa Funeral Directors ~ The Sumner House, 5 Church Road, On the Common, Shrewsbury Center, and again Wednesday, April 8, at 9 a.m., before leaving in procession to Saint Mary’s Church, 640 Main St., Shrewsbury, where his funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Mountain View Cemetery.
Memorials in Jack’s name may be made to St. John’s High School, Advancement Office, 378 Main St., Shrewsbury, MA 01545.
