Kevin P Conway

With profound sadness we announce the passing of Kevin, our loving father and grandfather whose lives he filled with unwavering support and unconditional love. Kevin, age 85, passed away peacefully and surrounded by his children and grandchildren.

Kevin was born in Castleisland, County Kerry, Ireland, and he was a proud Kerryman his entire life. He was the youngest of thirteen kids, and he cherished his twelve siblings. At the young age of fifteen, he left Ireland and moved to England where he worked with his brother. A few short years later, Kevin made his way to Chicago where he would settle into and lay down the roots for our family.

Kevin became one of the original Castleisland Engineers in Chicago. A career that he took pride in and enjoyed for over fifty years. He went to the Irish céilís four nights a week, and it was at one of these dances at the Aragon Ballroom that he laid eyes on a beautiful Irish girl named Marie. Kevin asked her to dance and he never let go. They married on December 10, 1966. Kevin and Marie went on to become mainstays of the Irish Community. With their close friends, they founded the Francis O’Neill Club in Uptown Park Ridge providing a gathering place for the local Irish community to gather and share their love of traditional Irish music and set dancing. They had four children: Jim, Ann, Brendan, and Eileen. As a father, Kevin was endlessly supportive, loyal, and protective. He was the perfect combination of strength and love. He taught us the importance of family through his everlasting devotion to us. Our dad’s favorite thing to do was spend time with his family. Seeing us walk through his front door, his face would light up and he would greet us with an immense love, every time. He was so proud of his grandchildren and fascinated by their intelligence, humor, and “good looks.”

Kevin enjoyed parties with family and friends, music, and conversation. If there was a story or joke to be told, he’d tell it best. He had a way of bringing energy to a room with his constant happiness and laughter.

Kevin is survived by his loving children, Jim (Claire), Ann (Peter), Brendan (Alexis), and Eileen (Dan); grandchildren, Alexander, Eleanore, Lila, Brendan, Tommy, Nicky, Natalie, and Kevin; and many cherished nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his adored wife of 55 years, Marie; his parents, James and Mary (nee Griffin) Conway; his siblings, Patrick, Margaret, Thomas, Josie, Elizabeth, Mary, Brendan, Ailbe, William, Christopher, Donal, and Joseph; his nephew, Pat Conway; and many dear sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.

A visitation in Kevin’s honor will take place on Friday, September 1st, at Ryan-Parke Funeral Home, 120 S. Northwest Highway in Park Ridge from 4:00-8:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, September 2nd at 10:00 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 7211 W. Talcott Avenue in Chicago. (funeral mass may be viewed via live stream @  www.twitch.tv/icchicago ) Interment will follow and Kevin will be laid to rest at Maryhill Catholic Cemetery in Niles.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Kevin’s name can be made to the Alzheimer's Association, www.alz.org.

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