Glenn Thomas Conway

It’s been said that “a tree with strong roots laughs at storms”, and I believe this wholeheartedly. When my Father was given the news of his diagnoses (terminal pancreatic cancer with a timeline of four months) he told me he wasn’t afraid to die. That he had lived a good life. That he thought he’d done a pretty good job of being a decent man, and that he was happy… and I believe that wholeheartedly, too. My Dad had the greatest faith in the strength of the roots he’d put down into this earth; a love story spanning 40 years with his soulmate, my Mom; his pride and adoration of being a father; the fortitude and wisdom of being an older brother to his four siblings. The honour it was to be the son of such wonderful parents, my Nana and Poppy. The joy he felt to be part of a loving family filled with aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins; and the enduring bonds he’d forged with those lucky enough to have called him “friend.” All of these, each in its own small measure, pieced together the “good life” of one of the strongest and most amazing men I’ve ever known; ‘My Dad’, Glenn Thomas Conway. Glenn passed away in the early morning hours of Sunday, June 17, 2018 in the Palliative Care Unit of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney, with his family by his side. He had been predeceased by his own father, Michael (Mick) Conway who we believe came to guide him home on this final Father’s Day. Glenn is survived by his mother, Muriel Conway (Kane); wife, Lena Conway (Jockemeck); daughter, Leah Conway; son-in-law, Brian Barkhouse; sisters, Shannon Kenny (Conway), Melody Gouthro (Jim) and Crystal Conway-Gottwald (Aubrey); brother, Shaun Conway; sister-in-law, Frances French (Dave Flloyd), sister-in-law, Kathy House; special aunt, Nora ‘Nanny’ Demarco; nieces, Jennifer, Shantel, Janelle, Bhreagh and Meaghan; nephews, Kyle, Jarrett, Connor and Jordan; his three special Bengal girls; as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Besides his father, Mick, Glenn was predeceased by his mother and father in-law, Cecilia and Stanley Jockemeck. There will be no visitation. A memorial Mass in celebration of Glenn’s life will be held Friday, June 22, 2018 at Holy Redeemer Church at 10 a.m. with Fr. Paul Murphy officiating. Following the Mass a reception will take place at the Pier Community Funeral Home. Special thanks to the wonderful staff of the CBRH Palliative Care Unit: Dr. Burns, Dr. Abboud, Dr. Crosby and all nursing staff particularly Holly, Linda, Rochelle, and Catherine. Amazing V.O.N nurses, Helen, Paul and Margaret; as well as family doctor, Dr. Paul Murphy and Oncologists, Dr. McCormick and Dr. Saliba. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Glenn’s name to the An Cala Palliative Care Unit of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of Pier Community Funeral Home. Online condolences may be forwarded to the family at www.pierfuneralhome.com. “A giant pine, magnificent and old Stood staunch against the sky, and all around Shed beauty, grace and power. Within its fold birds safely reared their young. The velvet ground beneath was gentle, and the cooling shade gave peace to passers-by. Its towering arms stood as a landmark, erect and unafraid, As if to say, “Fear nothing of life. I am your shelter”. It fell one day. Where it had dauntless stood was left void with loneliness. But all men who passed paid tribute – and said, “To have known this life, was to know honor and goodness. It left its mark on me. Its work will stand forever fast” And so it lives. For such a life no bonds can hold – This giant pine, magnificent and old.”