My love and prayers enfold you...Timothy was my"irish son" I loved him from the day I met that giant redhead and welcomed to Highland Park as our new technical director. When he and his Cindy were married he said"she is my true love" and so she is to this day. Mr. Patterson and I welcomed the arrival of the baby doll that was Megan soon after the adorable (you were you know, Ryan) baby boy.People who know and loved you as a teacher Tim could learn from you what a true husband and loving father looked...like all good teachers he adopted all his students...he taught them by example every day he taught...that great bear of man with artistry and integrity taught life skills his students could carry with them always. He was my great friend and indeed an adopted son to be proud.My Sweet Irish boy called home to soon...but listen up if God decides to do a play or maybe Heavens's version of Les Miz...How lucky...Tim's your manTo Cindy ,Megan , and Ryan thank you for sharing him with us all these yearsAnd God alone hear our prayer bring him homeOur great loss is Heavens gainBarbara June Patterson

I had to write two of these just because I was afraid I would leave something out! Forgive me, Cindy you know the love this springs from ...I even tried to master both my IPhone and the IPad with mediocre results..he always told me I would get the hang of this new technology...well he couldn't be right about everything! Hugs hugs!Bj

I only recently heard about Conway's passing.  He was a wonderful teacher and was always there when you needed it.  I learned so much about tech theater and design from him.  He will be sorely missed.--Heidi - class of '99

I am sad today and pray for Tim Conway's family and friends, all those who loved him most dearly. He was so very young when he was part of my daily life. I was unhappy and in so much pain. Somehow, as a new teacher, he possessed the skill and professionalism of advanced experience. And far more significantly, he openly cared for students in a way that always felt safe and authentic. I am grateful and wish him peace. KB - Class of 1984

I started attending HPHS as a sophomore, and to further muddle my waters, I began a week into term. I landed in 2 classes taught by Tim Conway. Speech and acting. I had interest in neither and was completely overwhelmed by this huge place that, as. Sophomore, I should clearly have mastered. TJC anchored my day and my experiences. By junior year he had me student teaching acting for him...an honor I was proud to have for 2 years. As a mentor I've known no better. His lessons have stayed with me through the years. I hope that he had any idea at the depth and long reaching breath of his impact on so many. And on me. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, Mr Conway.

Dear Cindy and children, I'm so sorry for your loss.  Tim's passing is a tremendous loss to the world at large as well.  As Tim's colleague at Highland Park, I always enjoyed any time I had to visit with him.  He had a great laugh and an easy way about him that made others very comfortable, attributes that are all to often absent in our world.  I will remember you all in my prayers.Kermit LambertHP English Department, retired

I'm so sad to hear the news of the passing of Mr. Conway. I feel fortunate to have had the experience I did in High School of going through the Theater department and being part of the crew, taking classes, creating amazing sets and witnessing true art.One story I will never forget. We were on our way to the big downstate showing of One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest and I was with Conway in the truck carrying all of the stage set material. We arrived down at the hotel thinking we didn't have to load in until the next morning. Suddenly the word came in that we had an hour to get our stuff on the loading dock before it closed. We quickly rushed to the task, rallied the entire cast and crew and got all of the set materials out of the truck and into the backstage theater in about 30 minutes. It was a huge turning point moment for me personally and professionally, seeing the power of the ensemble to handle any challenge in front of us and come together. I still recall Conway looking at me after and giving an approving nod. Mr Conway taught me so much. He challenged me to be a better artist, student and person, and I've taken many of the lessons from those days in the studio & auditorium with me throughout my life.My sincerest condolences to the Conway family.

We are very sorry to learn this sad news. Tim was a caring & supportive colleague with me for 22 years in the HPHS Fine Arts Dept. He was a mentor to many students & a creative set & lighting designer. His life ended much too soon! Our thoughts & prayers go to Cindy, Megan, Ryan & family. With sincere sympathy,Chuck & Carol

I would like to extend my condolences regarding the loss of Mr. Conway.  From expressions, he left quite an impression.  No doubt, he will be missed by countless individuals.  May the hope revealed at John 5:25, 26 strengthen the dear loved ones at this difficult time.

My darling Tim and Cindy... I always think of you together so I write this to both... Feeling sure Tim knows what I am going to say before I do ....the day Tim walked into HPHS was a lucky day for all of us . I loved him on sight(who wouldn't?) and called him my Irish son ever after. He was a man of such integrity students couldn't have had a better role model... And such a teacher! He knew how to reach students in his own special way and no one who worked crew with h came away with respect for their work and a knowledge of what it is to be a responsible professional in the theatre .. Even if they never worked in the professional theatre they knew they could. Most of all they felt valued ,necessary, cared about. They saw him not only as a teacher but as a husband ,a father a counsellor and an Artist in his own right.His students will testify now again and again what he meant to them and will all be true few teachers knew such love and respect .. He was just Everything they will say in tribute. Cindy sweetheart when you too were married he told me you were his true love and you will carry thatLove with you always Mr. Patterson and I watched your joy as Megan and Ryan came into your lives ... They knew what familymeans and will have that forever too... Another legacy.I send you love and prayers and tears to heal this great loss of a lovely man a great teacherAnd for always. My Irish son

Dear Conway,I am at a loss for words. You died last night. I prayed for you during vespers last night. I thought I would cry while praying but I felt oddly calm. It was as if I knew that you had already passed and that you were now at peace. It was almost as if you were comforting me, letting me know that it was ok and that you weren't suffering anymore. Maybe it was you that was comforting me. They say you died in your sleep so it is possible that you had already passed. I don't know if I believe that those who have passed can have that ability to comfort those who grieve for them but I would like to think so. If it was you, thank you. It wouldn't surprise me if it was you. It would be fitting with the Conway that I knew. You have truly changed and inspired many lives. I can't even imagine the number of lives that you changed and even saved. I saw how you worked with kids who were about to go down the wrong path and changed their direction. I remember the moment that you began to change my life. It was my freshman year and I was coming to stage crew intermittently and you were still kind of scary to me. You called me over and told me that I was needed. Knowing that I was needed was one of the things that helped me through the rough times of sophomore and junior year. Without the knowledge that you were back at school waiting for me and supporting me, I know that it would have been nearly impossible to climb out of the deep, dark abyss that I was in. You were supportive to all of us and treated us like your children- you didn't take any nonsense from us and pushed us to be our best but you also showed us love, either by bringing Deerfield Bakery to weekend work days or talking to us in your office. You were a mentor to many and inspired a love for different aspects of theatre in many. I know many of us have or will go into different areas of the theatre professionally and many more will participate in community theatre or school productions. You provided the support and the push so that we could be proud of the work we did. You pushed us to work as professionals and to put on shows that rivaled professional shows and were certainly better than the productions at my college. You had the faith in us. You believed that we could put on quality shows and chose productions that you knew we could pull off and excel at. You always had high expectations of us but they were realistic expectations. You were disappointed in us when we deserved it and praised us in the same way. You made us want to make you proud. You will be missed dearly but will never truly be gone. There will be teachers who were inspired to teach theater because of you. There will be professionals that will inspire others because of you. You were an inspiration to us all. Thank you and I hope you are at peace now.With love and sadness,Hannah Fisher HPHS Class of 2010

Cindy, I just heard.  I grew up next store to the Conways. So many fun and wonderful memories. I'm so very sorry.

We always felt lucky to be friends and colleagues with Tim during our tenure at Highland Park High School.  Lunch breaks, committee meetings, and rehearsals were always so much more fun when Tim was there.  Throughout the years we were witness to the generosity and talent he shared with both students and colleagues.  It was a privilege to know him!Bonnie and Jim VossSaddlebrooke, Missouri

To the Conway family - I am so sorry for your loss. I hope you can take comfort in all the lives he played a part in and inspired us to be better.  It was my priviledge to be both his student and his colleague - although I could never call him Tim.Vicki Spear - VarneyHPHS class of 1983

Conway was an inspiring teacher who took the time to make each kid feel special. What a gift to Highland Park students of many generations!

OBITUARY

Timothy J. Conway

November 4, 1956 – June 26, 2015

Glueckert Funeral Home

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services