Tom Conroy

Thomas J. 'Tom' Conroy

June 6, 1928 - March 28, 2015

McCOOK, Neb. -- Thomas J. "Tom" Conroy, age 86, passed away at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook on March 28, 2015.

He was born on June 6, 1928, at McCook, Nebraska, to Phillip Laurence and Mary Catherine (Kennedy) Conroy. Tom attended rural school north of McCook through the eighth grade and then went to work on the family farm. In the 1970s, he found time to earn his GED.

Tom was united in marriage to Bertilla A. Hickert on April 22, 1952. To this union, they were blessed with five daughters, Cindy, Monica, Debbie, Theresa and Pam and two sons, Tony and Phil. Bertilla preceded him in death on July 7, 2003.

Tom farmed southwest of McCook, growing potatoes for Weaver and Kitty Clover potato chip companies. In 1966, Tom moved his family to McCook and began working as a welder for Harold Amen Construction. In 1971, Tom went to work for Electric Hose and Rubber Company, later known as Dayco, as a plant engineer. He retired in 1998.

Tom was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, King's Men and the Elks. He was an Admiral in the Nebraska Navy. He was the caretaker of St. Patrick's Calvary Cemetery for over 45 years. Tom was known statewide for his woodworking. He made caskets for the Marian sisters, a women's religious order of the Catholic Church and for many of his relatives, as well as flag cases that were purchased by many funeral directors in Southwest Nebraska and Kansas. He also made pens and many other items from cedar, oak or walnut.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Phillip Laurence and Mary Catherine; wife, Bertilla; son, Tony; daughter, Theresa Walters and husband, Denny Walters; two brothers, John and wife, Margaret Conroy and William Conroy; and brother-in-law, Bob Enders.

Tom is survived by his four daughters, Cindy Baumgartner of Lakewood, Colorado, Monica Conroy of McCook, Debbie and husband, Don Leach of Danbury, Nebraska and Pam and husband, John T. Herron of McCook; one son, Phil Conroy and Rose Lewis of Lincoln, Nebraska; daughter-in-law, Rebecka Conroy of Scottsbluff, Nebraska; 17 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren; four sisters, Rosmarie "Toots" Russell of Arvada, Colorado, Mary Lou Enders of Greeley, Colorado, Catherine "Trudy" Conroy of McCook and Ellen and husband, Loren Griffin of McCook; and sister-in-law, Anita Conroy of McCook.

Rosary will be recited on Sunday, April 5, 2015, at 7 p.m. at Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel in McCook. Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, April 6, 2015, at 10 a.m. with Father Gary Brethour officiating. Interment will be in the Calvary Cemetery of McCook.

Visitation will be Saturday, April 4, 2015, from 2 to 7 p.m. and Sunday, from 3 p.m. until after rosary.

Memorials may be left in Tom's name at Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel.

Friends may leave on-line condolences at herrmanfh.com

Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.