Christopher Mark Conway

Christopher Mark Conway, 65, of Ridgefield Park, N.J., exited this life on July 19, 2025, at home and surrounded by the family that he loved so well throughout his life.

Chris was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Beatrice Conway (née Higgins), his brother Sean Conway, his sister Patricia Perry, and his niece Roisín McLoughlin, and is survived by his many family and friends who viewed him as a man of exceptional kindness, strength, and warmth.

Chris was a devoted husband and best friend to Karen Marie Conway, his partner of forty-four years, and was the loving father of Christopher Ronan Conway and Brendan James Conway, father-in-law to Stefanie Conway and Sarah Spech, adored grandfather to Mairead Eileen Conway, dear brother to Barbara Connors (Tommy), Maureen Castellano (Bobby), Thomas Conway (Helen), Linda Hanfield, Michael Conway (Karen), and Terry Marichal (Oscar), beloved “favorite uncle” of nineteen nieces and nephews, beloved brother-in-law to Patricia McLoughlin (Christopher) and James Early (Gerry), and godfather to three women dear to his heart, Amber, Kristina, and Kathleen.

Chris was born June 5, 1960 in Teaneck NJ, and was raised in the Village of Ridgefield Park, where he cultivated a rich community that lasted throughout his life. Chris graduated from Ridgefield Park High School in 1978, and Joe Kubert School of Art and Design in 1986. In 1979, Chris met his future wife, Karen , while working at Park Pizza. They became best friends, and fell in love, and expressed their love to each other for the first time on Christmas Eve 1981. They were married at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Ridgefield Park on October 26, 1986, and Chris became a father to Christopher in 1990 and Brendan in 1993. Christopher and Brendan could not have asked for a more loving father, who made every minute spent together a good time, who never failed to show up and be present in their lives, and who always let them know how proud he was of them and how much he loved them.

Chris had a natural artistic talent, and delighted his family with his practiced design and illustration. Chris was a longtime employee of Imtech Graphics of Carlstadt NJ for thirty years. Chris was involved in the Irish music and dance community, through his close connection with the Early McLoughlin School of Irish Dance, and being a devoted “Fleadh dad” for both of his sons, driving them to music lessons and supporting them in competitions at the Fleadh Cheoil, in both Ireland and America, year after year during their childhoods. Chris was so proud to be selected as an Aide to the Grand Marshal for the 2018 Bergen County St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

After a cross-country running career in high school, Chris took up running again at the age of forty-three, and between 2009 and 2020 he completed nine marathons and countless other competitive races. At the age of fifty-seven, Chris fulfilled a lifelong dream of learning to play guitar, and he played out across New Jersey with his cherished childhood friends, bandmates, and sons. After being diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer at the age of fifty-nine, Chris continued to live life to the fullest, traveling with his wife Karen to Ireland, Italy, California, and Nashville, bearing every hardship with a smile, and being a doting granddad to Mairead. Nothing brought more joy to Chris than being granddad to his beautiful little girl, Mairead loved nothing better than to sit on his lap with a book, and Chris was happily anticipating the birth of Baby Boy Conway in 2026.

Chris’ death is grieved by family far and wide, and a myriad of friends who considered him their brother, and he will be missed tremendously. While his life was cut short, the impact he made on those around him, and how loved and understood he made people feel, is eternal. He was a man who loved being close to others, who loved connecting to people and who was skilled at it. Every Fourth of July, Chris’ house was the center of the party. He was a gregarious conversationalist, informed reader, country music listener, longtime Deadhead, hardcore Mets and Giants fan; a happy and energetic man, full of life and vitality, even up until his final hours. Those who knew him felt the constant warmth of his presence and love, and are devastated by his departure.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to All Schools Special Needs charitable foundation, 108 Christie Street, Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660.

"Keep Me in Your Heart for a While" ~ Warren Zevon