Obituary of James (Jim) Michael Conway

James (Jim) Michael Conway

August 18, 1953 - January 19, 2025

James Michael, Jim Conway, Poppy Jimmy–he was a man who, as a dear friend pointed out, embodied the sense of being larger than life. He passed unexpectedly quickly on January 19th, with some of the people he loved best by his side, and the people who couldn’t be present close to his heart. 

A kind and generous man, known as much for his rowdy younger years, Jim had a benevolent heart and a welcoming disposition. He loved nothing more than to gather people around him, and he took good care of them. He taught his kids that true generosity meant that you gave to others first, even if it meant you were left lacking yourself – and he meant that. ‘Do unto others’ always applied, even when others didn’t do unto him. He didn’t judge. 

Jim was born on the east coast in 1953, moved to Corner Brook as a kid, and lived on Harbourview Road, where he cultivated a reputation for himself as a bit of a hard ticket - which might be a huge understatement, but we’ll leave those stories to his buddies. 

He met Doll when he was 14, they were married at 19, and lived a long and happy life in Humbermouth. They were partners in business, and partners in running the house and raising their kids, and spent the last nine years as proud grandparents. They ran their own company, starting out of their house with little more than a phone line and a truck parked outside, and built it into a recognizable brand with several properties and a small fleet over the course of 38 years. After retiring, despite Jim taking ill, they made the best of the time they had, taking road trips and spending time with their family and friends, which were the most important things of all to Jim. His wife and kids, his siblings and in-laws and their children, his kids’ friends, the close friends who were like family–he was truly devoted to them all. 

He was an avid hockey fan, and spent a good deal of his younger years causing a ruckus wherever his beloved Corner Brook Royals were playing. He was a Leafs fan through and through, even though he himself didn’t always understand why. Jim’s other hobbies included obsessive cleaning, collecting stray animals to look after, and making sure everyone had a drink in their hand. He could make your car look brand new, didn’t trust the dishwasher to do as sterile a job as he could, had a revolving cast of incredibly sweet and doted-upon rescue dogs, and loved to greet visitors at the door with “Beer? Drink? Piece of dark fruitcake?”

Jim passed at age 71, a massive loss for anyone that knew him. He leaves behind with the best memories his wife Doll, his kids Krista (Sherman) and Nick (Nicole), grandchildren Emery and Myles, siblings Gerri, Molly, Jean, and Tina, his nephews and nieces and their kids, his in-laws, special close friends who were like family, Gerry and the b’ys in Spruce Brook, and a large extended circle of people he thought the world of, and who thought the same right back. 

He is predeceased by his parents, Jack and Etta, his siblings Theresa and John, his sisters-in-law Grace, Rae, and Lorraine, and his niece Jackie. 

The best thing to Jim was when people gathered. He loved music, having a good laugh, and was always quick with a one-liner. In this spirit, and in lieu of a formal funeral, his family has opted to have a Saturday afternoon Celebration of Jim. He loved a party, so to celebrate him and remember him best, we’ll gather at the Legion in Corner Brook at 3 PM on Saturday to raise a glass, share a story or two, have a laugh and pretend we’re not sad. 

Cremation has already taken place, and we’ll bring Jim along in an urn so, for one last time, he can be propped up at the table with a bottle of Lambs next to him, orchestrating everyone’s good time. Please join us, the more the merrier. 

Interment will take place at a later date at Mount Patricia Cemetery. 
In Jim’s memory, please make a donation to a cancer charity of one’s choice, or a local animal rescue, or go do a kind deed for someone. That’s what he’d be doing today.