Owen “Buzz” Conway, born Nov. 10, 1926, died Feb. 3, 2020.
Born to Anna and Owen Conway, Buzz loved to tell stories. A favorite involved his scrappy grandmother who immigrated here toting 5 kids from Ireland heading to Durango CO. His family eventually settled in the Philadelphia area where Buzz was born and raised in Olney. He loved to tell about his father’s short stint playing Major League Baseball for Connie Mack and the Philadelphia A’s in 1915. Music was always a big part of Buzz’s life: from tap dance lessons as a young man, to how he met his wife Eleanor, of 65 years, at a Philadelphia dance hall, to their weekly square dance dates while raising their four children in Cinnaminson, NJ, to attending his granddaughter Zoe’s a cappella concert. Music was what brought him joy and solace in the final stage of his life; jigging his way into any room which promised a tune from his youth. It didn’t matter that no one else wanted to dance, his walker was a fine partner, never stepping on his toes. The phrase “whistle while you work” was very fitting as he was an avid whistler. He enjoyed working on his model airplanes and belting out a tune. Having attended Temple University at night, he was trained as an accountant and eventually served as a revenue officer for the IRS. Being an Army medic serving in the Philippines in World War 2 created most of his story material. During their retirement years, both he and Eleanor were an integral part of VFW Post 524 in Ocean City, New Jersey before moving up to Connecticut. He had the great pleasure of experiencing the Honor a Flight program in 2017, which sends veterans down to Washington, D.C. to participate in ceremonies focusing on their crucial role in our American history. When not listening to Frank Sinatra or Roger Whittaker he could be found at a table playing Texas Hold’em. Even with his memory, vision and hearing impairments of late, he’d regularly sweep the table at the weekly penny poker game. There wasn’t a dog he’d pass without stopping to pet it, and this love was instilled in all of his children Diane, Kelly, Patrick and granddaughters, Kristi and Zoe. He is predeceased by Eleanor (2018) and his oldest son Timothy (1978). He leaves friends from his days in NJ and his newest family of friends at Middlewoods of Farmington assisted living. One of the many staff who got to know and love him summed it up perfectly: “Our Owen, we loved him- we learned quickly you just needed to make whatever had to be done be his idea.” He died on February 3, 2020, what would’ve been his predeceased son Tim’s 65th birthday. He is also predeceased by his wife Eleanor (2018). His Funeral Mass will be celebrated 11 a.m. on Thursday, February 27th, at the Sacred Heart Church 103 4th St. Riverton. NJ. Burial will followed at the Beverly National Cemetery at 12:30 p.m.In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: American Legion Post 524, 4562 West Avenue, Ocean City, NJ 08226.
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