Howard R. Conley

Howard Ray Conley, 89, a resident of Milford, NH passed away at his home on October 4, 2023.

Howard was born August 26, 1934, in a farmhouse just outside Maquoketa, Iowa to Ray and Doris (Gilmore) Conley – an only child. He joined the US Navy at the young age of 17 to see the world. He spent a brief period of time on a destroyer during the Korean campaign. His military interests turned to medicine where he became a Navy corpsman. During the 1960s, he served as a corpsman in Vietnam, completing multiple tours.

In 1955 he married Nadine Francis Larrabee and shortly thereafter they welcomed two sons, Michael and Gary Conley. After 20 years of service to his country as a proud Navy man, he retired and became a police officer in the Gulfport, Mississippi police department. At the time he was one of the oldest cadets to graduate from the academy with its rigorous mental and physical requirements. He quickly rose through the ranks and became a Detective. Later he joined the security team at Mississippi Power Company where he later retired.

After the passing of his mother Doris, whom he took care of, he left the Gulf coast of Mississippi to be closer to his son in Amherst, New Hampshire. There he worked delivering cars and worked alongside his son, delivering meals for Meals on Wheels. His final years were filled with contented days and happiness as a loving family always surrounded him. He was active and independent, venturing out most days to share coffee and conversation with his loyal friends Red, Joan, and others.

Howard was predeceased by his son Michael Conley and stepson Donovan Waters. He is survived by his son Gary Conley and three stepsons Donny, Noel, and Donis Waters. He had 6 grandchildren including Katelyn (Conley) Hall, Nichole (Conley) Sperry, Taylor Conley, Amanda (Conley) Bryant, Jessica (Conley) Haskell, and Michelle (Conley) Lessner. He also had 10 great-grandchildren Kyle and Lauren Bryant; Aubrey, Nathan, Rachel, and Ryan Haskell; Sadie and Sofia Hall; Rowen and Clayton Sperry.

Howard was a man fully rooted in the knowledge that his time on earth was a blessing. He did not fear the end of this chapter but appreciated every moment as it unfolded. For all who knew him, please take comfort in knowing that he is in Heaven now telling jokes to friends arriving before him and biding his time until he is back together with everyone that touched his life in a meaningful way.

SERVICES: Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM in the Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm Street, Milford, NH 03055. A Chapel service will follow the wake at 7:00 PM. A committal service will be held on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, at 12:00 PM in the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery, Boscawen, NH. All are invited to meet directly at the cemetery.