BUCKSPORT – Edward Michael Conroy Jr., 85, died July 17, 2007, in Bangor. He was born Sept. 27, 1921, in Braddock, Pa., and was the eldest son of Edward M. Conroy Sr. and Mary Laurence Conroy. He was a graduate of Duquesne High School, Duquesne, Pa., and was a veteran of World War II, serving with the U.S. Coast Guard in the North Atlantic and European waters from 1943 to 1945. He was first employed by Westinghouse Manufacturing, Pittsburgh. After the war years, he was employed at Braun’s Grocery and later at St. Regis Paper Co., Bucksport, in the electrical department, where he missed only one day of work in 35 years. Edward was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church and a past member of the first Parish Council, serving for many years. He was also a charter member of the Knights of Columbus, Father Dandaneau Council; a past grand knight with an honorary life membership; a 4th degree member of the Pine Cone Assembly, Bangor; a member of the Brewer Post No. 4917, Veterans’ of Foreign Wars; and former vice commander of American Legion Post No. 93, Bucksport. Ed was known as a jack-of-all-trades for his family and friends, with a basement com-monly referred to as “Fast Eddie’s Hardware,” the store that never closed and where anybody could find at least one of anything. Always supportive of his children’s needs, he was a generous provider of things both material and emotional, a solid rock of support regardless of the type or number of troubles. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Pauline (Doucette) Conroy of Bucksport; sons, Thomas of Cambridge, Mass., Laurence of Largo, Fla., David of Tallahassee, Fla., Mark and his wife, Theresa, of Plymouth, Mass., and John of Portland; daughters, Carol and husband, Roger Greene, of Stockton Springs, as well as Stacy and her husband, Danny Haskell, of Blue Hill. He is remembered by his sisters, Evelyn Helsel of West Mifflin, Pa., and Elizabeth “Betty” McCombs and family of Port View, Pa.; as well as sisters-in-law, Marjorie McAvoy, Irene Doucette and Marianne Conroy of Bucksport. In addition to his seven children, he is survived by grandchildren, Julee Bires and husband, Corey, of Bucksport, Jennifer Dorr of Atlanta, Gregory Conroy of Largo, Fla., Jeremy Weirich and wife, Kara, of Silver Springs, Md., Angela Brown and fiance, Christopher Jalbert, of Bucksport, Angela Hiatt and husband, Sean, of Largo, Fla., Kelly Forbes and husband, Derrick, of Bayville, N.J., Cassandra Conroy of Portland and Johnny Hickey of Plymouth, Mass; great-grandchildren, Brianna and Maggie Bires and Hailey Betts of Bucksport, and Max Hiatt of Largo, Fla. Edward was predeceased by his parents; brother, Joseph; and special friend and brother-in-law, Harry Helsel. Visitation will be held 6-8 p.m. Thursday at Mitchell-Tweedie Funeral Home, 28 Elm St., Bucksport. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. Friday, July 20, at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, Bucksport, with Father James Plourde, celebrant. Interment will be at St. Vincent de Paul Cemetery, Bucksport. After the service, a gathering of family and friends will be held at the home of Julie and Corey Bires, 33 McKinnan Road, Bucksport. Donations may be made in his memory to the Knights of Columbus, care of Richard Tennant Jr., 211 U.S. Route 1, Bucksport, ME 04416.
EDWARD MICHAEL CONROY JR.
