Paul Leo Conroy

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Paul Leo Conroy

Paul Leo Conroy died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on December 2, 2013 at the age of 75.

He was born to the late Charles T. Conroy and the late Agnes V. Conroy on September 17, 1938, and grew up on Hines Point in Vineyard Haven.

Paul graduated from The Tisbury School and then attended Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston before serving in the Navy. After receiving an honorable discharge, he returned to the Island where he had many careers throughout his life, including serving on the Tisbury Police Department and in the building trades.

The sea always called to him and he made his living in later years doing what he loved the most. He was a commercial sword fisherman for many years until the industry was no longer lucrative. He then purchased a boat, named it “Cash Flow” and fished out of Edgartown Harbor for many years. Later he would own a conch boat and name it “Black Duck” after his father’s rumrunner. True to his Island roots he scalloped in the fall, hunted in the winter, and fished in the summer. He took great pleasure in these activities with his beloved son, Paul. He loved long walks with his dog, Zeb.

He is survived by his wife, Maureen, of Edgartown, his son, Paul, and his partner, Jamie Lynn Murphy, of Edgartown; and his four daughters, Tamara Hersh and her husband, Stanley, of West Tisbury, Rebecca Conroy of West Tisbury, Tina Conroy Palmer of West Tisbury, and Kirsten Sorensen and her husband, Lars, of Marblehead. He also leaves behind five grandchildren: Phoebe, Stuart, Lucy, Lila, and Sophie. He was predeceased by his brother, Charles T. Conroy Jr., and his sister, Maureen Conroy Hearn.

A memorial mass will be held on Saturday, December 14, at 11 am in Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, Massasoit Ave, Oak Bluffs with a reception immediately following at the Martha’s Vineyard Rod and Gun Club in Edgartown.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hope Hospice, 107 Beach Road, Vineyard Haven, MA 02586 and Sail Martha’s Vineyard, PO Box 1998, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568.

Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, Oak Bluffs, ccgfuneralhome.com.