Dr. Harry L. Conroy (STH’78)
This obituary was originally published by Monadnock Ledger-Transcript on Aug. 17, 2021, and can be found here.
Peterborough, NH — Rev. Harry L. Conroy passed away peacefully on August 4th at the Wolfeboro Bay Center in NH. He was born August 31, 1923 in Warren, PA. Harry attended Allegheny College where he met Louise Schweitzer, his beloved wife of nearly 70 years and where he played on the basketball and tennis teams.
Harry felt a calling to the ministry, earning a Masters of Divinity at Union Theological Seminary in NYC. Rev. Conroy served churches in VT, NY, NJ, MA, and Maine. He left parish ministry for 10 years, serving as the protestant chaplain at Mattapan Chronic Disease Hospital. During these years Harry completed his clinical pastoral counseling training and earned a D.Min. at Boston University. His denominational affiliation was United Church of Christ.
After retirement he served the Rumford Point UCC Church in Maine for several years as interim pastor. Harry and Louise enjoyed living in Peterborough, NH in their later years and were active volunteers with the Monadnock Adult Care Center. He was passionate about issues of social justice and participated in the 1963 Civil Rights March in Washington, DC. Harry treasured the work of Abraham Lincoln, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Reinhold Niebuhr. His personal and professional life reflected his passion and active advocacy for social justice. He passed on these values to his children and many others. Harry was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He was a devoted caregiver to Louise as her health deteriorated over the years.
Harry was pre-deceased by her as well as by his brother and two sisters. He leaves four children and their spouses; Evelyn of Scarborough, ME, Stephen of Portland, ME, David of Kingston, MA and Lou-Anne of W. Barnstable, MA as well as 9 grand children and 11 great grand children.
In lieu of flowers please direct memorial gifts to the Greater Boston Food Bank or the Southern Poverty Law Center.