Richard Conroy

 

Above – Georgia and Richard Conroy

Richard Fredrick Conroy

SEPTEMBER 17, 1936 – NOVEMBER 9, 2021

From Roberta and Georgia on 1/22/22:

Richard Conroy joined our Songmakers Heavenly Hoot last November and the hope was for a live memorial service. Sadly, Covid has prevented that so on behalf of Roberta & Georgia Conroy the attached flier is an invite to a memorial Zoom for Richard on Sunday, January 30th at 3:00pm (Pacific Time) via Zoom.

To receive the Zoom data to attend, you must RSVP to Roberta Conroy via <robertaconroy@icloud.com>.

 
Here is the text from the flier in case you’re unable to open it:
 
“Richard is survived by his wife Georgia, daughter Roberta, son Brian and his two grandsons Bran and Killian by his exwife, Kay.   
In lieu of an in-person gathering, we are opting for a virtual format in hopes that everyone who knew and loved him will be able to participate. Join us as we share stories, remembrances, and honor Richard’s life together. Ps. If you cannot attend and wish to leave a letter of condolence instead, there are comments on his Dignity Memorial Obituary online at:https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/tucson-az/richard-conroy-10446895 Richard Frederick Conroy  
R.S.V.P. to Roberta Conroy at email: conroyroberta@yahoo.com by Thursday Jan 27th and I will send the zoom link and further instructions.  
With love, Roberta and Georgia Conroy”
 
 
[gview file=”https://songmakers.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/RichardConroyMemorialinvite.pdf”]
 

From Georgia Conroy:

I could say that Richard and I met because of El Condor Pasa – the first song we ever played together.  (Later, it became “our song” for rest of our 20 years together.)  Because the melody was sweet and lively, I instantly felt the magic of our flute and autoharp combined with his gravely voice and Celtic touch.  He taught himself to play and sing by ear, and loved the naturalness that came from playing for the joy and ease of it all.  This also meant that he disliked practicing, which seemed defeating to me. And yet, in spite of our differences, I ended up loving the music we crafted together more than any other way to play music.  Richard was truly a great person to be with – he was a modest, witty man, and very smart.  A talented watercolorist and product designer for more than 30 years, and just a really nice person.  What else can I say?  That he was helpful to the core, never invited trouble, and a true gentleman?  Yes, I would say he was, most of the time.  But it was music that drew me to him, and our condor.  I love you, Richard, and miss you terribly.

From our e-chord editory TJ Zeiler:

We are saddened to report that longtime Songmaker member Richard Conroy passed November 9, 2021 from a bursting aneurism so is now the newest member of our Heavenly Hoot.  Fortunately, the moment happened in a hospital and Georgia Conroy was at his side. He was able to talk a little before passing, but he wasn’t conscious at the time as he was given meds. To the last, he exhibited his sparkling heart and was calm as was his custom in his everyday life. He specifically wanted the Songmakers to know that he cared for Earl’s Hoot…the people who attended, the music, the mellowness…in a very special way. Richard was a mover and shaker in Songmakers and was the Bard Chord editor for many, many years back when it was a hands-on operation. It took a tremendous amount of work every month and he was rewarded eventually with the gift of lifetime membership. On a personal note, I thoroughly enjoyed his auto-harp renditions and still miss both he & Georgia ever since their move to AZ. Richard joined Songmakers in 1983 and joined the SM Board of Directors the very next year where he served for over 20 years. He retired as Bard Chord editor after serving 20 years. He, and Kay Conroy took over the West Valley Hoot from Nick & Mary Lou Steed in 1985 and led it together until 1992. He was the most skilled autoharp player I’ve ever met. Georgia plans to post on the Memoriam page at a later time. There are currently no memorial plans.