Charles "Ed" Conroy's Obituary
Charles "Ed" Conroy, age 86, passed away peacefully at his home on Silver Lake Drive in Rehoboth Beach on Tuesday, July 24, 2012. He was born in Portland, ME on April 30, 1926, son of the late Joseph and Eleanor (Gullifer) Conroy. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Richard Conroy and his sister, Joann Parks.
Ed grew up in Portland, Maine. His love of horses drove him to join the US Army at the early age of 18; he was sent to the Cavalry at Fort Riley, KS. Instead of riding horses, he set sail on the SS Peter Sylvester bound for India. His ship was torpedoed in the Indian Ocean and he spent eight days on a life raft. He was rescued by the SS Corpus Christi and was later awarded a Purple Heart for injuries received on his sinking ship. He was taken to Perth, Australia and was later stationed in Manila where he served as secretary to General Douglas McArthur. “Luck of the Irish . . . he had taken shorthand in high school.” He also served with the General in Tokyo and worked for the defense of Generals Homa and Yamashita. Ed loved telling of his WW II adventures.
Ed was discharged in 1945 and worked in the Passport Division of the State Department while attending American University in Washington, DC. He earned a Master’s degree and worked as a teacher and a principal in the Montgomery County, Maryland school system for 28 years.
He and his life-long partner, Roy Anderson, sold real estate in Georgetown, Washington, DC where they also owned an art and design studio. While living in Georgetown, they bought a second home in Rehoboth Beach where in 1976 they opened the Wooden Indian gift shop on Baltimore Avenue. After selling the shop, they opened the Selective Eye on the same property; the two spent several months every year in London buying for their new shop and building their miniature portrait collection.
Ed was a long time member of the Rehoboth Art League and was regularly awarded ribbons at the annual show for members. He also served on the advisory board of the Delaware Symphony and was a Benefactor of Safe Haven Animal Sanctuary. He was also a Grand Patron of the Southern Delaware Choral Society.
Ed is survived by his partner of 50 years, Roy Anderson of Rehoboth Beach, DE; his brother Thomas Conroy and his wife, Connie of Portland ME; a sister, Jean Hopkins also of Portland, ME; three nieces; four nephews; four great nieces; and four great nephews.
A Celebration of Mr. Conroy’s Life will be held on Monday, July 30, 2012 at 12:00 Noon at Epworth United Methodist Church, 19285 Holland Glade Road, Rehoboth Beach, DE. Roy and Ed's family will greet friends at the church beginning at 11:00 AM. Interment will be private. Arrangements by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Lewes, DE.
Donations are suggested to The Southern Delaware Choral Society, PO BOX 444, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971 or Safe Haven Animal Sanctuary, 19022 Shingle Point Road, Georgetown, DE. 19947.
Please sign Mr. Conroy’s online guestbook this site.
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