Richard Philip Conley

Richard Philip Conley, age 78, of Ocean Springs, MS passed away on November 16, 2009 at home. Richard was born on September 13, 1931 in Portland, Maine to Thomas and Catherine Conley. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Tom and Don Conley and a sister Jean Cornicelli. Richard served four years in the U.S. Air Force. After his discharge, he graduated from St. John University, Queens, New York with a degree in English. He later graduated Stony Brook University, Long Island, New York with a Masters in English. Dick, as he has always been known to family and friends, was a 30 year high school English teacher at JFK High School in Plainview, New York. He loved his students and was a mentor to the gifted as well as troubled youth. He served many years as the advisor to the Senior Class, Yearbook, Chess Club, and Metmonk (Mock United Nations Club). As the Metmonk advisor, he traveled with his students to Harvard and Georgetown University where his students proudly won numerous awards. Dick is survived by his wife of 42 years, Kathleen Conley (Meagher), two sons, Sean Patrick Conley (Kelly) of Solana Beach, CA and Kieran Michael Conley (Michelle) of Ocean Springs, seven grandchildren, Tatum, Piper, and Finn Conley of Solana Beach and Devin, Madison, Emily, and Laurel Conley of Ocean Springs, two brothers, Gerard Conley of Portland, Maine, Dave Conley (Jane) of Souderton, Pennsylvania and a sister-in-law Beverly Conley of Kennesaw, Georgia, 35 neices and nephews and our special “Village” friends Mike, Pat, and Tim Smith and Rita and Lloyd Dyer. Dick found “A little bit of Heaven” six years ago when he and Kathy relocated from Long Island, New York to Ocean Springs following the birth of their triplet grandchildren. He was a faithful parishoner at St. Elizabeth Seton Church where he found great spiritual consolation. Dick loved people and his easy going personality and happy demeanor enabled him to make friends easily. He was a member of Gulf Hills Golf Club and cherished the friends he made through the men’s club. He loved reading, chess, dominoes, and travel. His fluency in German and Greek made for some wonderful memories of trips throughout Europe, which will long be remembered and cherished by his wife. The family wishes to extend a special thank you to his nurse Mildred Boleware, the doctors and nurses at Ocean Springs Hospital, the nurses at the Heart Failure Clinic; Vicki, Lisa and Jane. Thank you Ryan and Ricky of Acadian Ambulance who helped us gain an additional three years with Dick. The family would also like to thank Dr. Butcher and staff, OS Police and Fire Department, Deana of Acadian Ambulance, and Father Bernard Farrell for all his kindness. Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 19, 2009 from 4 PM - 6 PM, at the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home. On Friday, November 20, 2009, there will be an 11 AM Mass of Christian Burial at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church. Burial will be held at a later date in Biloxi National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family prefers memorials be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN., 38105.