Robert William Conway, 89, Vero Beach
Robert William Conway, 89, passed away in Vero Beach on Oct. 7, 2018. He was born in 1929, in Brooklyn, N.Y., to the late Catherine and Edward A. Conway.
Robert served in the United States Army from 1951-53. Later, he worked for the New York Telephone Company and the Xerox Corporation, until he retired in 1984.
In retirement, he worked for several financial institutions and charitable organizations.
He enjoyed softball, golfing, reading, traveling, and working on projects. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree (past grand knight and faithful navigator), Alhambra (past grand commander), Saint Sebastian, Our Lords Table/Fellsmere Soup Kitchen (past president), and past member of the Sebastian Old Boys softball Team.
Robert was married to Mary Elizabeth Conway for 65 glorious years.
Robert is survived by his daughters, Maureen, Colleen, Margaret, and Ellen; sons, Robert M, Shawn, Brian, and Michael; sister, Jean; 18 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his siblings, Edward and Patricia.
The family invites donations in Robert’s name to VNA Hospice Foundation, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960 or Knights of Columbus, 13075 US-1, Sebastian, FL 32958 Sebastian, FL.
Friends and family can pay their respects at the visitation on Thursday, Oct. 11, from 5-7 p.m. at Strunk Funeral Home, 1623 N. Central Avenue, Sebastian.
A Mass of Christian burial will take place on Friday, Oct. 12, at 10 a.m. at St. Sebastian Church, 13075 US 1, Sebastian, with Father John Morrissey, celebrant. Burial will follow at Sebastian Cemetery, Sebastian.
Joy Ellen Deneen, Vero Beach
Joy Ellen Deneen, of Vero Beach, went home to our Lord on Sept. 27, 2018.
Survivors include her husband, Pete; sons, Russell (Melody), Ryan and Jeremy (Traci); daughters, Leslie (Chuck), and Jessica (Derek); her loving sisters, Ann and Mary; seven grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to The American Heart Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692.
Services were held in Vero Beach on Oct. 1.
Michael Edward Wright, 61, Vero Beach
Michael Edward Wright, 61, of Vero Beach, returned to his heavenly home on Oct. 7, 2018, after a valiant battle with Glioblastoma. His devotion to his family and his firm belief in God supported him in his struggle and ultimately gave him peace. Michael was born to the late James and Helen Wright, in Miami, Fla., on April 4, 1957.
He was immersed in the Catholic community that would be his lifelong support from an early age. He was an altar boy at St. Helen Catholic in Vero Beach, where received the honor of Altar Boy of the Year, and as an adult, became a member of the Knights of Columbus.
He served honorably in the US Navy, attended the Naval Nuclear Power School, and served on the USS Enterprise CVN 65 in Bremerton, Wash., as a Machinist Mate 2. Upon leaving the Navy he began his 31½ year career at the St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant in Ft. Pierce, Fla., as a Nuclear Reactor Operator.
Michael was blessed with a large and loving family. He married the love of his life, Karen, on May 16, 1992, at St. John of the Cross Catholic Church, in Vero Beach.
Mike grew up with nine loving brothers and sisters and is survived by Jeanne Hansen, Leo Wright, Cathy Register, Patrick Wright, Jim Wright, John Wright, Margaret Smith, Mary Ankeny and Robert Wright; three beautiful daughters, Tara Doumar, Heather (Donald) Gillespie and Michele Wright; six grandchildren, Charlie Doumar, Cody Ingle, Gracie Gillespie, Haley Lynn Wright Ankeny, Jordan Redden and Kaitlyn Yates; and many nieces and nephews.
Mike also leaves many dear and loving friends who will remember his fantastic sense of humor and his love of life. Who can forget his unpredictable shenanigans?
Michael was a kid at heart. He was passionate about his family and his work but rarely took things too seriously. He was boisterous and rambunctious, and always had time for a story or a song. He is dearly missed by his loved ones, who celebrate the fact that he is at peace with his Creator.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, Oct. 18, 5-7 p.m. with a Prayer Service to be held at 6:45 p.m. at Cox Gifford Funeral Home.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 19, at St. John of the Cross Catholic Church followed by Military Honors.
Interment will take place at a later date at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery in Mims, Fla.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Duke Cancer Center online at https://sites.duke.edu/glioblastoma/make-a-gift/