Gael Conway

Very honest and blunt, with a bubbly personality are just a few words used to describe Gael Conway.

A few events in history that occurred in 1964 were the first Ford Mustang rolling off the assembly line, the invention of bubble wrap, and on April 27, 1964, in Los Angeles, CA, the arrival of Gael Martin Conway to Charles and Beverly (Bennett) Conway.

Gael had a tough childhood, but never backed down or gave up and grew to be a very loving, respectful father, husband, and friend to many. Very smart and ornery. Gael attended schools in California and New Mexico, where he obtained his GED at age 14, then went on to learn skilled trades, as he aspired to be a marine biologist.

Gael was a big Toys R Us kid and always said he was never going to grow up. He was always a smart alec and had an open and bright outlook on life. He wore his heart on his sleeve and was a people person but expected respect. Gael would give the shirt off his back to help others in need, nor was he scared of anything except heights. He never met a stranger, had a calming presence, was very supportive, and had a big shoulder to lean on. He was a self-employed truck driver for 36 years.

In 1983 Gael was honorably discharged from the Air National Guard early after an accident he had while on leave, falling over 50 feet, trying to help someone at Angel Falls. Then with no one in his group able to drive a stick-shift truck, he even drove himself to the hospital with a broken knee. Gael drove a tractor trailer most of his life and was awarded a million mile no accident safe driving award in July of 2018. Gael absolutely loved his family and when he met Kathy in 2008, they were drawn together like two magnets. They courted each other with food and with extra attention toward laughter, helping others, and establishing the bond of love that will never be severed. The greatest day in Gael's life was "when we married and became a family"

He attended North Webster United Methodist Church and dedicated his life to taking care of his family. Gael was a jack of all trades, was a master griller, loved to cook, and entertain people. He could also fix anything out of seemingly nothing and his hobbies included smoking and grilling food, family activities, and cooking for the North Webster community dinners, and setting off lots of fireworks.

Family fun included vacations to Florida, Kentucky, Michigan, and Maine, where white water rafting led to falling out of the raft in level 4 rapids and Ohio where he drove through a blizzard going to a water park! When it came to holiday time, the whole family always looked forward to his mystery meat at Christmas and Thanksgiving. Gael's favorite NFL team was the Los Angeles Chargers and few of his favorite tv shows were Deadliest Catch, NASCAR, Gold Rush, Alaskan Bush People. His musical tastes included a variety combination of country and rock. Anytime Kathy would say "Oh my God" Gael would reply with his most noted quote "don't include me"!

Much to the shock and surprise of all of Gael's many family and friends alike was the news of his passing at 7:45 am on Thursday March 7, 2019 at his residence in North Webster at the young age of 54.

Survivors include his wife Kathy Conway of North Webster; children Samuel Conway of Syracuse, Katlyn Kennedy and John Kennedy, both of North Webster, Samantha Morgan of New Mexico, Shelly Morgan of Houston, TX, Kathleen Tapley of Maine, and Matthew Conway of Moriarty, NM; siblings Debra Conway of Warsaw, Patrick Allen Conway of Chula Vista, CA, and David Lee Conway of Texas; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Friends may call from 2:00-4:00 & 6:00-8:00 pm on Thursday March 14, 2019 at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral services for Gael will be held at 11:00 am on Friday March 15, 2019 at the funeral home. The family prefers memorial contributions in memory of Gael be made to North Webster United Methodist Church, Janus Motorcycles, or Gael's kids John, Sam, & Katlyn. Visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send the family an online condolence.