Gerald F. Conley

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Gerald F. Conley, 72, resident of Milford, died January 15, 2010 at St. Joseph Hospital in Nashua.

He was born in Albany, N.Y., on Dec. 11, 1937, a son of the late Harold and AnnaMay (Dugan) Conley.

Mr. Conley was a graduate of Colonie Central High School, Albany, N.Y., and earned his bachelor’s degree from Fairmont State College, Fairmont, W.Va.

Prior to moving to Milford recently, he had formerly lived in Norway, Maine, for several years, Carlisle, Pa. and Ocala, Fla., for many years.

Mr. Conley was a retired air traffic controller. He was an avid golfer, a lifelong Red Sox and Patriots fan.

While living in Ocala, he was a communicant and Eucharistic minister at Our Lady of the Springs Church. In addition, he was a 19-year member of the Knights of Columbus, where he had served on many boards and as Grand Knight.

A U.S. Air Force veteran, Mr. Conley was a flight navigator from 1956 until 1963 and an Atomic Vet due to faithful service in the desert Southwest and Eniwetok Atoll.

He was predeceased by a great-granddaughter, Kassidy Bortner and a brother, Donald Conley.

Family members include his wife of 52 years, Brenda (Corcoran) Conley of Milford; four sons, Paul Conley and his wife, Jacqueline of Island Falls, Maine, Michael Conley and his wife, Donna of Ballston Spa, N.Y., Robert Conley of Brunswick, Maine, and James Conley of Saratoga Lake, N.Y.; a daughter, Katherine Jackson and her husband, Henry of Brookline; nine grandchildren, Charles, Jennifer and Joshua Bortner, Scott Conley and Amanda Kasey, all of Maine, Tara and Maegan Conley of New York, Joshua McCarthy and Lindsey Conley, both of N.H.; a brother, Raymond Conley of Florida; a sister, Judy Delaney and her husband, Jim, of Latham, N.Y.; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Wednesday, Jan. 20 at 11 a.m. in St. Patrick’s Church, 34 Amherst St., Milford, followed by cremation. Burial will be in Saint Agnes Cemetery, Albany, N.Y., at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to your local Knights of Columbus Chapter. Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm St., Milford, is handling arrangements. To leave an online condolence, please go to www.smith-heald.com