CONLEY, TOM

passed away in his home at the age of 68 surrounded by his family and loved ones on the morning of February 20, 2010. He was born in Phoenix on May 31, 1941, the third oldest of ten siblings. He attended St. Mathew’s Elementary School, Brophy College Preparatory, and St. Mary’s High School, after which he served four years in the United States Navy. A third-generation Phoenician, Tom began a very successful career in the beverage industry driving a delivery truck for Hensley and Co., a local Anheuser-Busch distributor, where his outgoing personality and strong work ethic led to his promotion into management. In 1995, at the age of 55, Tom changed from his work clothes into his trademark white t-shirts and blue jeans for good, after which he spent his retirement golfing, skiing, or simply relaxing at his cabin in the White Mountains and driving his restored 1959 MGA to all corners of the state. Tom was successful in life, but humble in spirit, and his kindness and generosity to friends and family were legendary and cherished by those who knew him well. Always quick to use his sense of humor to diffuse tense situations, or simply bring a smile to someone’s face, Tom kept his family and friends happily laughing well into the final days of his life. A cherished father and husband, his life will always be recounted in the constant retelling of the many endearing stories and humorous anecdotes which he shared with us all on many occasions. While Tom was very successful in his professional life, traveled much of the globe, and enjoyed the fruits of his hard work, he derived the greatest joy from life’s simplest pleasures, such as playing a round of golf with his brothers, teaching his nieces and nephews how to ski, taking a long, solitary walk on a mountain road, or simply preparing homemade fajitas and fresh pico de gallo for his family and friends. Tom spent the final years of his life bravely battling Alzheimer’s disease and was cared for in the comfort of his own home by his intrepid and devoted wife. He was predeceased by his parents, Vincent de Paul and Edna Conley, and his older brother, Paul Conley. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Lupe, and children Thomas, Harry, and Kathleen; his brothers Timothy (Robin) Conley, Danny (Renata) Conley, and Mark (Susie) Conley; his sisters Micaela Hain, Bemo (Bill) Siska, Brigid (Hank) Ragland, Sheila Whitfield, and Mary Kathleen Conley. A visitation will be held at St. Mary’s Basilica located at 231 North 3rd Street, Phoenix, AZ 85006, on Thursday, February 25, beginning at 9:00 a.m., followed by a Rosary at 9:30 a.m., and the Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made in Tom’s name to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St. Phoenix, AZ 85014. Arrangements entrusted to Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home.
Please sign guest book at www.whitneymurphyfuneralhome.com

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