William Joseph Conroy, 83, died at home on Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011, surrounded by family and friends.
Conroy was born on a kitchen table in the Bronx, a fact of which he was very proud, to Regina and Walter Conroy.
He grew up in Pelham Manor, N.Y. He graduated from Mt. Saint Michaels Prep and Fordham University.
He served in the Army in World War II in the 82nd Airborne. He was held as a prisoner of war in Yugoslavia and then released.
His first job was in the insurance industry with the Equitable Life Assurance Society and then The Maccabees Mutual Company as president of M.I.M.
Bill then worked in textiles, becoming president of Litchfield Fabrics, his father-in-law’s company. He formed his own company, Lee Fashion Fabrics, and retired in 1996 when he sold the company.
Conroy and his wife Joan retired to Vero Beach, where he enjoyed walking, boating, tennis and activities with his family with whom he was very close. Conroy enjoyed sports, especially football, which he played in school and he followed his favorite team, Notre Dame.
Conroy enjoyed managing the Conroy Family Charitable Foundation as well as his own financial portfolio.
He was first and foremost a family man and became very involved in many worth family causes.
Conroy was a member of the Million Dollar Round Table in insurance, the New York Athletic Club and John’s Island Club in Vero Beach.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years Joan Cecelia; six children, Regina Keller, William J. Conroy, Jr., John Louis Conroy, Kevin Conroy, Grayson Conroy and Christopher Conroy and their spouses, William Keller, Christine Conroy, Terry Conroy, Barbara Conroy and Joan Chan Conroy; six grandchildren, Jennifer Predolin, Michael Conroy and Will, Jack Henry and Grace Conroy and Megan Conroy; one great grandchild, Elena Cecelia Predolin; a brother, Robert Conroy, of Vermont; one nephew and three nieces.
A mass of Christian burial took place on Monday, Feb. 28 at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice Foundation, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960.