Former Glendora mayor and long time resident Mike Conway passed away June 1 after an extended illness. He was 76.
Conway served on Glendora’s City Council from 2001-2005, eventually serving as mayor in 2003. In 2007 Conway and his wife Marcia were honored as the Citizens of the Year.
He was a friend to many, including this reporter, and an advocate for our community in so many ways. His love for the city was always apparent as the numerous organizations he was part of show.
I spoke with Mike Conway just prior to his last hospitalization, while dining at one of his favorite local eateries in the Glendora Village. Although frail, Conway never lost the smile which had always greeted me.
In a written statement from his family, they shared some of those positions with us.
“Mike served and was involved in many community organizations, such as President of the Glendora Historical Society, held leadership positions in the Glendora Kiwanis Club, served on the Board of Glendora Welfare, and the Glendora Library. He also served on the Boards of Foothill Transit, Gold Line, COG, Library Centennial Committee, Glendora Community Coordinating Council, Representative to the Three Valley Municipal Water District just to name a few. Mike also was involved in and held leadership positions in the former South Hills Little League and developed and fielded the first Challenger Division in California for players with special needs”, the statement read.
Conway was not just a name on these rosters, as GCN witnessed first hand how important these causes were to him. He and Marcia worked with us hand in hand, on trying to get the late Mark Ryan a plaque somewhere in the city. Mark Ryan was a long time resident who Conway thought embodied the friendly spirit of our city.
His daughter, Krista Einfalt echoed her fathers sentiments.
“My dad really loved Glendora because of the small town feel, but it was a community with a big heart,” Einfalt said.
Current Mayor Gene Murabito remembered Conway as a man who loved his city and fellow Glendorans:
“When I remember Mike Conway, I will always recall a civic leader, a mentor and most of all a friend.
As Mayor and Council member Mike was focused, steadfast in his conviction and certainly not fearful of taking an unpopular stance when he believed in his decision. He along with wife Marcia were fervent about their service to our community.
Mike was influential in gathering support for and working with Project Glendora Yellow Ribbon to bring the military banners, that honor our service members, to our city. He was also instrumental in bringing the Diamond Ridge Marketplace development to Glendora and the eventual creation of Louie Pompei Memorial Sports Park.
I owe a great deal to Mike. He was the person who pushed me (hard) to become involved in Glendora politics and while we didn’t always agree and often had some very spirited discussions, he would always end the discussion by telling me to do what I believed was right and best for the entire community.
Having said all of this, what I will remember most about Mike was that he always had a smile on his face, his sense of humor and funny stories, and he was a man that was never, ever, lost for words. Mike was a dear friend and will be sorely missed in our community.”
