Glenn J. Conroy

Glenn Conroy was born at Jamaica Hospital, Jamaica, Queens, NY, to Lillian (Beiser) and James Conroy on October 25, 1946. The youngest sibling to, and preceded in death by, June (Joseph) McAllister, Doris (Luca) Coacci, James/Sonny (Marie) and Dennis, as well as his sole surviving sibling, brother Ronald (Peggy), of Brentwood, NY. Glenn spent his youth growing up alongside his own nieces and nephews, primarily in Richmond Hill, NY, amongst them Doris Anne (Coacci) Dalena, Louis Coacci and John Coacci. His rebellious nature made for many good times and memories and even resulted in some time as a lightweight boxer.

The loss of his father at 11 years old, greatly shaped his life, ambitions and the man he would become. He and Lillian moved around but settled during his high school years in Brentwood, NY . The absence of his father was softened by the tender care from his older sister, Doris, and her husband, Luca “Bullet” Coacci, who helped raise him.

Glenn enlisted in the Marines at 17, reporting to Parris Island, South Carolina. After receiving some shrapnel in his hand, his service was cut short and he was honorably discharged in 1963. He caught the attention of Kathryn Camberdella, another student at Brentwood High School in 1965. After graduation in 1966, they married and started a family in 1967, with the birth of their first daughter, Lisa Anne, followed by Kimberly Anne, Kelly Anne and a well-awaited son, Glenn (G.J.) Conroy, Jr. Glenn also joined and served the Brentwood Fire Department, Company 5.

Adhering to his deep sense of adventure, in 1974, Glenn and Kathryn took a promotional flight/trip to Lake Havasu City, Arizona. The draw of the desert southwest was too much and they ultimately bought a house and moved their family of 6 across country to Arizona. Glenn started a janitorial business in Lake Havasu washing windows. For a short time he also drove a long-haul semi. Over the course of his 12 years there, his entrepreneurial nature led him to own several businesses, managed with Kathryn’s assistance, including a car rental agency, a Jartran trailer rental, the “Book Nook” book store, the “Robin Hood’s Ice Cream Shop”, “Havasu Bakery” and, after earning his real estate license under the mentorship of close and admired colleagues, Jay Scavuzzo and Jerry Holt, he became a successful realtor and eventually owned his own Eagle Realty. All this while continuing to serve as a firefighter for Lake Havasu Fire Department.

In early 1981, with the passing of his mother, time away from his extended family took its toll and, following the birth of their last daughter, Jaclyn Anne, in 1983, the Conroys decided to return to Long Island in early 1986 to be closer to family and loaded up their belongings for the long haul back across country, where they resettled in Sound Beach, NY. Glenn, with a strength in sales, traded homes for cars and started a new career as a car salesman.

Following Glenn and Kathryn’s divorce, Glenn remarried to Linda (Bautista) Speilman, and blended two stepsons, Mark and Lee, into the family. They resided in Coram, NY, before relocating to Safety Harbor, Florida, followed by a return to Lake Havasu for a few years, and eventually settling back in Clearwater. Experiencing a multitude of medical issues, Linda provided Glenn with tender and specialized care that will forever be appreciated. However, around 2020, as the world struggled with COVID, Glenn began showing signs of dementia and was ultimately diagnosed with Alzheimer's, requiring more direct care. With the help of his son, Glenn, Glenn was moved back to New York for Memory Care, where he received TLC from his favorite caregivers, Luise and Cheryl, at Luxor Mills Pond.

In the early morning hours of Sunday, December 29th, Glenn passed away after fighting, as much as one can, Alzheimer's for 5 years. We are comforted in knowing he is at peace now and those who know and love him pray that he is flying high with the eagles. He lived a nomadic life but instilled (or plagued, depending on who you ask) in his children an excellent work ethic, a great sense of confidence and strong values. Glenn is survived by his children: Lisa (Thad) Eckland of Lake Havasu City, AZ, Kim (Steve) Davis of Lebanon, TN, Kelly (Jason) Villanueva, of Chandler, AZ, Glenn J. Conroy Jr., of Manorville, NY, and Jaclyn (Mike) McManus, of Farmingville, NY; 19 grandchildren (preceded in death by infant grandson, Shea Lane Romo); and two remarkable women with whom he built a great life and family.

A Memorial Service for Glenn will be held at O.B. Davis Funeral Home 2326 Middle Country Road, Centereach, NY, 11720 on January 11, 2024, from 2:00 pm- 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm. A service will be held at 8:00 pm.