Roy Eric Conway

Roy Eric was born in Portsmouth, England on September 3, 1931. He was raised and educated there, before joining the RAF in 1950 where he spent three years stationed in post-war Germany. He emigrated to Canada in 1954 to work as a draftsman for Canadian Westinghouse in Hamilton. In 1956, he moved to Waterloo, and was employed by Raytheon Canada Ltd., a company which designed and manufactured Air Traffic Control Radar Systems. At Raytheon, Roy was first a senior draftsman, then a product designer, finishing his career as Manager of the Product Design Section in the mechanical engineering department, until his retirement in December 1992.

But as a boy in England, riding and competing on a bicycle was Roy's first love, and this quickly became a passion that was to remain with him throughout his life. Cycling was a sport that he excelled in, winning many trophies, medals and awards over the years.

In 1968, he founded the Waterloo Cycling Club, which today boasts 350 members. In the early 1970's, he was actively involved in youth cycling programs for the Ontario Cycling Association. For several years, he was also instrumental in organizing cycling events in Waterloo, as part of the K-W Oktoberfest celebrations.

Roy raced for many years in Quebec's Coupe des Amerique events, often winning podium placings. During the same years, he was successful in achieving top honours in the Ontario Championships, winning a silver medal in 1984 and a bronze medal in 1993. When Roy reached his 40's, he joined the Ontario Masters Cycling Association, again winning many events -- he was the man to beat! He continued racing with the OMCA well into his 70's, enjoying every turn of the pedals.

Roy loved children and was a wonderful father, spending many memorable summers camping with his two sons, and developing a strong bond with them. He was always ready with a helping hand for others, and there wasn't anything he couldn't fix.

Roy was predeceased by his father Lewis Conway in 1974, his mother Gladys Conway (Grant) in 1998, and his only brother Maurice in 1989.

Missing him beyond words, is his cherished wife and partner, Mary Lou, with whom he shared 38 years of deep love, harmony, and laughter.

Sharing the grief of his loss are his sons Gary Conway and his partner Kathy, and David Conway and his wife Susan; two grandsons Cameron and Grant Conway and his wife Dana, one granddaughter Shanonne Shepard and her husband Ryan, and one great-grandson, Austin Conway-Shepard, and one great granddaughter Kennedy Shepard, all of Kitchener, and his last remaining sibling, his older sister Joyce Belanger of Kitchener.

Roy is also survived and lovingly remembered by his stepson Jason Roth and his wife Anne, and their children, his step grandson Alex and his wife Sarah Prpic, and his step granddaughter Cynthia, all of Waterloo.

Also left to mourn his passing is his sister-in-law Debby Donau of Kitchener.

Roy was a totally positive person, always cheerful and happy, never finding fault with others, never criticizing, never angry. In every sense of the word, he was a good and gentle man.

Roy's family will receive relatives and friends at Westmount Memorial Celebration Centre, 1001 Ottawa St. S., Kitchener, (519-743-8900), on Friday, August 1, 2025 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Visitation will continue on Saturday, August 2, 2025 from 1:00 - 1:45 p.m., where the funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Cremation will follow and a private interment will be held by the family at a later date at Parkview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations would be appreciated to the WRHN Foundation, 914 King St. W., Kitchener, ON N2G 1G4.

"He was my knight in shining armour, my guardian angel, and the light of my life. Now that he is gone, who will make me laugh?"