Robert C. Conway "Grumpy", 64, of Carver, MA, died suddenly on Saturday, February 6, 2009 at Boston Medical Center. He was the son of the late Joseph W. and Mary E. (Lundblad) Conway.
Bob was a 1963 graduate of Wareham High School. Following his graduation, he attended UMASS Amherst and then enrolled in the U.S. Army. Shortly after his enrollment he was assigned as a Power Generation Equipment Mechanic with the 557th Light Maintenance Company in Phan Rang LSA in the Republic of South Vietnam, where he received a certificate of Achievement for distinguishing himself as a generator mechanic. Through his own technical skill, knowledge, initiative and desire, he was almost totally responsible for the high state of maintenance on generators in the Phan Rang area. He often had to travel long distances, by any means available, under possible exposure to enemy fire to accomplish his repairs. Many times all he had was hand tools and his skills to accomplish the repairs and restore electricity back to the units.
During his high school years, he went to work for the AD Makepeace Company where he has remained a valued employee for more than forty years. As a bog foreman he had come to know every parcel of land owned by the company, from Cape Cod to Rochester to Carver. He was designated as the company's frost management supervisor, responsible for overseeing the protection of cranberry vines from frost both during the spring and fall through the use of sprinklers. Equally important was his informal role as the company's environmental officer.  A naturalist ,he was an expert in the identification of rare and endangered species, the identification of wildlife, an expert in land management and habitat, as well as a prizewinning photographer of plants, animals, fauna and flora. His photography helped identify many previously undocumented species located in Southeastern MA for many conservation agencies. Mr. Conway was regularly called upon to speak to school groups that visited the Makepeace property. He was also called upon to educate his colleagues at AD Makepeace Co. and governmental officials in various towns on many environmental issues.
A Foundation in Bob's name will be established in order to perpetuate and continue Bob's passion to protect rare and endangered species and to continue to support the organizations he worked so closely with. In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to the Robert Conway Memorial Fund, TD Bank, 237 Main Street, Wareham, MA 02571-2111
Burial will be at a later date. Survivors include a brother, Joseph W. Conway of Wareham; three sisters, M. Patricia Manuel, Claire L. Smith, and Elizabeth A. Roderick, all of Wareham; six nephews, two nieces; seven grand nephews and four grand nieces.