Conley, Thomas Broderick

passed away in his home at the age of 68 surrounded by
his family and loved ones on the morning of February 20,
2010. He was born in Phoenix on May 31, 1941, the third
oldest of ten siblings. He attended St. Mathew's Elementary
School, Brophy College Preparatory, and St. Mary's High
School, after which he served four years in the United
States Navy. A third-generation Phoenician, Tom began a
very successful career in the beverage industry driving a
delivery truck for Hensley and Co., a local Anheuser-Busch
distributor, where his outgoing personality and strong work
ethic led to his promotion into management. In 1995, at
the age of 55, Tom changed from his work clothes into his
trademark white t-shirts and blue jeans for good, after
which he spent his retirement golfing, skiing, or simply
relaxing at his cabin in the White Mountains and driving
his restored 1959 MGA to all corners of the state. Tom was
successful in life, but humble in spirit, and his kindness and
generosity to friends and family were legendary and
cherished by those who knew him well. Always quick to
use his sense of humor to diffuse tense situations, or
simply bring a smile to someone's face, Tom kept his
family and friends happily laughing well into the final days
of his life. A cherished father and husband, his life will
always be recounted in the constant retelling of the many
endearing stories and humorous anecdotes which he
shared with us all on many occasions. While Tom was very
successful in his professional life, traveled much of the
globe, and enjoyed the fruits of his hard work, he derived
the greatest joy from life's simplest pleasures, such as
playing a round of golf with his brothers, teaching his
nieces and nephews how to ski, taking a long, solitary walk
on a mountain road, or simply preparing homemade fajitas
and fresh pico de gallo for his family and friends. Tom
spent the final years of his life bravely battling Alzheimer's
disease and was cared for in the comfort of his own home
by his intrepid and devoted wife. He was predeceased by
his parents, Vincent de Paul and Edna Conley, and his older
brother, Paul Conley. He is survived by his wife of 44
years, Lupe, and children Thomas, Harry, and Kathleen; his
brothers Timothy (Robin) Conley, Danny (Renata) Conley,
and Mark (Susie) Conley; his sisters Micaela Hain, Bemo
(Bill) Siska, Brigid (Hank) Ragland, Sheila Whitfield, and
Mary Kathleen Conley. A visitation will be held at St.
Mary's Basilica located at 231 North 3rd Street, Phoenix, AZ
85006, on Thursday, February 25, beginning at 9:00 a.m.,
followed by a Rosary at 9:30 a.m., and the Funeral Mass at
10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that
donations be made in Tom's name to Hospice of the
Valley, 1510 E. Flower St. Phoenix, AZ 85014.
Arrangements entrusted to Whitney & Murphy Funeral
Home. Please sign guest book at
www.whitneymurphyfuneralhome.com

Published in The Arizona Republic on February 23, 2010