Walter J. Conley

WALTER J. CONLEY – in Woburn, September 7th, beloved husband of Anne M. (Kearns) Conley. Devoted father of Nancy Conley, Elaine Pierce and her husband Michael of Newton, Jean Conley and her husband Stephen Tripoli of Sudbury and Joan Conley. Dear brother of Joseph Conley of Dorchester, Edward Conley of CA, Marion and Helen Conley of Dorchester and Grace Dunn of Westwood. Loving grandfather of Christopher and Cecilia Tripoli of Sudbury. A Funeral will be held from the Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home, 263 Main Street, Woburn on Friday, September 12th at. 9:15 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Charles Church, 280 Main Street, Woburn at 10. Calling hours will be on Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. Interment in Calvary Cemetery, Woburn. Donations may be made in Mr. Conley’s memory to the Woburn Senior Center, Care Givers Support Group, 144 School St., Woburn, MA 01801.

OBITUARY:

Walter J. Conley, a Woburn resident and longtime activist for the Woburn Senior Center, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, September 7th, at the Lahey Clinic Medical Center in Burlington. The beloved husband of Anne M. (Kearns) Conley, he was eighty-four years of age.

Born in Dorchester, Walter was one of six children born to the late Patrick and Mary Alice (Farrell) Conley. He grew up in Dorchester and was a graduate of Dorchester High School in the Class of 1941. Following high school, he attended a mechanical engineering college in Michigan until his enlistment in the United States Navy in July of ‘43. Walter proudly served aboard the USS Garfield Thomas, a Cannon-class destroyer which served in the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean providing escort service against submarine and air attack for Navy vessels and convoys. His dedication to his fellow shipmates continued after the War with his attendance at their annual reunion.

In December of 1947, Walter joined the Marine Division of the Boston Police Department where he worked until January of 1956 when he transferred to the Marine Division of the Boston Fire Department. He served as a Boston Firefighter for thirty-three years until his retirement in 1988.

In 1950, he married his beloved wife, Anne (Kearns) Conley and they made their home in Woburn where they raised four daughters. Walter was a devoted father and husband. He was exceedingly competent and capable, always available to help anyone in need and enjoyed working around the house. In his later years, he cherished visiting his children and grandchildren, his sisters and brothers. He was also an avid reader and especially loved to read history books and documentaries. Walter, Anne and their daughters traveled together to Ireland to visit his father’s birthplace. A humble and gentle man, Walter devoted himself to his family and his community as he spent countless hours volunteering at the Woburn Senior Center. Walter was also a member of the Destroyer Escort Sailor Association.

Walter is lovingly survived by his wife, Anne M. (Kearns) Conley, his daughters, Nancy Conley, Elaine Pierce and her husband Michael of Newton, Jean Conley and her husband Stephen Tripoli of Sudbury and Joan Conley, his siblings, Joseph Conley of Dorchester, Edward Conley of CA, Marion and Helen Conley of Dorchester and Grace Dunn of Westwood and his grandchildren, Christopher and Cecilia Tripoli of Sudbury.

A Funeral will be held from the Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home, 263 Main St., Woburn on Friday, September 12th at 9:15 a.m., followed by a funeral mass in St. Charles Church, 280 Main Street, Woburn at 10. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Woburn.

Calling hours will be on Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m.

Donations may be made in Mr. Conley’s memory to the Woburn Senior Center, Care Givers Support Group, 144 School Street, Woburn, MA 01801.