Thomas Joseph Conroy

Thomas J. Tom Conroy, age 86, passed away at the Hillcrest Nursing Home on March 28, 2015. He was born on June 6, 1928 at McCook, Nebraska to Phillip Laurence and Mary Catherine (Kennedy) Conroy. Tom attended rural school north of McCook through the 8th grade and then went to work on the family farm. In the 1970s he found time to earn his GED. Tom was united in marriage to Bertilla A. Hickert on April 22, 1952. To this union, they were blessed with 5 daughters, Cindy, Monica, Debbie, Theresa and Pam and two sons, Tony and Phil. Bertilla preceded him in death on July 7, 2003. Tom farmed southwest of McCook growing potatoes for Weaver and Kitty Clover Potato chip Companies. In 1966, Tom moved his family to McCook and began working as a welder for Harold Amen Construction. In 1971, Tom went to work for Electric Hose and Rubber Company as a Plant Engineer, later known as Dayco. He retired in 1998. Tom was a member of the St. Patricks Catholic Church, member of the Knights of Columbus, Kings Men and the Elks. He was an Admiral in the Nebraska Navy. He was the caretaker of the St. Patricks, Calvary Cemetery for over 45 years. Tom was known statewide for his woodworking. He made caskets for the Marion sister and many of his relatives, flag cases that were purchased by many Funeral Directors in Southwest Nebraska and Kansas along with pens and many other items made from cedar, oak or walnut. He was preceded in death by his parents; Phillip Laurence and Mary Catherine; wife; Bertilla; son; Tony; daughter; Theresa Walters and husband Denny Walters; 2 brothers; John and wife Margaret Conroy and William Conroy; brother-in-law; Bob Enders. Tom is survived by his 4 daughters; Cindy Baumgartner of Lakewood, CO; Monica Conroy of McCook; Debbie and husband Don Leach of Danbury, NE; Pam and husband John T. Herron of McCook; 1 son; Phil Conroy and Rose Lewis of Lincoln, NE; daughter-in-law; Rebecka Conroy of Scottsbluff, NE; 17 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren; 4 sisters: Rosmarie Toots Russell of Arvada, CO; Mary Lou Enders of Greeley, CO; Catherine Trudy Conroy of McCook, NE; Ellen and husband Loren Griffin of McCook; sister-in-law; Anita Conroy of McCook, NE. Rosary will be recited on Sunday, April 5, 2015 at 7:00 PM at the Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel in McCook. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, April 6, 2015 at 10:00 AM with Father Gary Brethour. Interment will be in the Calvary Cemetery of McCook.