Obituary for Wayne Orville James Conley
CONLEY, Wayne Orville James
Passed away unexpectedly, at NHS-St. Catharines on Wednesday, February 23, 2022 at 72 years of age. He was predeceased by his parents Betty and James Conley, his parents in-law Don and Norma McChesney and his brother-in-law Jack McChesney (Sharon) and sister-in-law Peggy McChesney. He was the best friend and beloved husband of Donna-Lee (nee McChesney) for 52 years. An incredible and loving father to Tracy-Lee (Dale) Zankl and Jim (Tina). Proud and attentive grandfather of Taylor & Kendra Zankl, Sarah & Emily Verge, and Kali &Chase Conley. Dear brother of Marilyn (Peter) Hay and Gordon (Joanna) and brother-in-law of Bud McChesney and Shirley (Claude) Martel, and many cherished nieces and nephews.
Wayne and Donna-Lee met at a youth camp as teenagers; it was love at first sight (at least for Wayne). To ensure that their first encounter would be memorable, Wayne went down to the dock where Donna-Lee was standing, introduced himself as he lifted her up and tossed her into the lake! From that moment on Donna-Lee was the love of his life. They rarely spent so much as a moment apart. His devotion to her was evident to anyone who was lucky enough to see them together. Nothing brought him as much joy as knowing Donna-Lee was happy and seeing that all her needs were met. Like Wayne’s personality, their love was truly larger than life.
Wayne had many passions in life. He was a very accomplished hockey player. One of his proudest memories was playing for the Northern College Huskies team that won the Ontario Collegiate Athletic Association Championship in 1971. He continued to play hockey on many cherished Senior teams and if his colourful stories were to be believed, he was someone that always had his teammate’s backs - both on and off the ice (and after a couple of Rum and Cokes). These teammates and dear friends became an extension of his family. The time came when Donna-Lee determined he’d done enough damage to his joints and his time would be safer spent contributing to some armchair coaching of his Toronto Maple Leafs. Based on the Leaf’s record, we suppose it’s safe to say he was a bit more skilled as a player than a coach. After hockey season was over he could be found armchair coaching his next favourite team, The Toronto Blue Jays. Wayne’s loyalty and amazing sense of humour collected an army of lifetime friends.
Wayne was as equally accomplished in his professional endeavours as in his personal ones. He was a proud career Firefighter starting with the Timmins, Ontario Fire Dept. in 1971 until he moved to the Suncor Emergency Services Dept. in Fort McMurray, Alberta in 1980. Here he eventually served as Fire Chief for 23 years until he retired in 2007. Wayne wasn’t a man that stayed satisfied with the status quo. He found many ways over the years to affect real change both at work and within the community. He was an original member of the Alberta Industrial Fire Protection Association and he held membership in the International Association of Fire Chiefs. He was a firefighter’s Fire Chief, in that the people in his organization mattered as much to him as the processes and results. Upon his retirement, Wayne and Donna-Lee were able to travel the world. They were able to enjoy trips throughout the US, Australia, Bali, and Dubai. They especially enjoyed the winters spent reconnecting with lifelong friends in Florida.
In honouring Wayne’s wishes a Celebration of Life gathering will be held in the future.
Memorial donations to Heart & Stroke Foundation would be appreciated. Arrangements entrusted to Considerate Cremation & Burial Services, 26 Nihan Drive, St. Catharines (between Lake Street & Scott Street), 289-362-1144. Online condolences may be made at CCBSCares.ca
Passed away unexpectedly, at NHS-St. Catharines on Wednesday, February 23, 2022 at 72 years of age. He was predeceased by his parents Betty and James Conley, his parents in-law Don and Norma McChesney and his brother-in-law Jack McChesney (Sharon) and sister-in-law Peggy McChesney. He was the best friend and beloved husband of Donna-Lee (nee McChesney) for 52 years. An incredible and loving father to Tracy-Lee (Dale) Zankl and Jim (Tina). Proud and attentive grandfather of Taylor & Kendra Zankl, Sarah & Emily Verge, and Kali &Chase Conley. Dear brother of Marilyn (Peter) Hay and Gordon (Joanna) and brother-in-law of Bud McChesney and Shirley (Claude) Martel, and many cherished nieces and nephews.
Wayne and Donna-Lee met at a youth camp as teenagers; it was love at first sight (at least for Wayne). To ensure that their first encounter would be memorable, Wayne went down to the dock where Donna-Lee was standing, introduced himself as he lifted her up and tossed her into the lake! From that moment on Donna-Lee was the love of his life. They rarely spent so much as a moment apart. His devotion to her was evident to anyone who was lucky enough to see them together. Nothing brought him as much joy as knowing Donna-Lee was happy and seeing that all her needs were met. Like Wayne’s personality, their love was truly larger than life.
Wayne had many passions in life. He was a very accomplished hockey player. One of his proudest memories was playing for the Northern College Huskies team that won the Ontario Collegiate Athletic Association Championship in 1971. He continued to play hockey on many cherished Senior teams and if his colourful stories were to be believed, he was someone that always had his teammate’s backs - both on and off the ice (and after a couple of Rum and Cokes). These teammates and dear friends became an extension of his family. The time came when Donna-Lee determined he’d done enough damage to his joints and his time would be safer spent contributing to some armchair coaching of his Toronto Maple Leafs. Based on the Leaf’s record, we suppose it’s safe to say he was a bit more skilled as a player than a coach. After hockey season was over he could be found armchair coaching his next favourite team, The Toronto Blue Jays. Wayne’s loyalty and amazing sense of humour collected an army of lifetime friends.
Wayne was as equally accomplished in his professional endeavours as in his personal ones. He was a proud career Firefighter starting with the Timmins, Ontario Fire Dept. in 1971 until he moved to the Suncor Emergency Services Dept. in Fort McMurray, Alberta in 1980. Here he eventually served as Fire Chief for 23 years until he retired in 2007. Wayne wasn’t a man that stayed satisfied with the status quo. He found many ways over the years to affect real change both at work and within the community. He was an original member of the Alberta Industrial Fire Protection Association and he held membership in the International Association of Fire Chiefs. He was a firefighter’s Fire Chief, in that the people in his organization mattered as much to him as the processes and results. Upon his retirement, Wayne and Donna-Lee were able to travel the world. They were able to enjoy trips throughout the US, Australia, Bali, and Dubai. They especially enjoyed the winters spent reconnecting with lifelong friends in Florida.
In honouring Wayne’s wishes a Celebration of Life gathering will be held in the future.
Memorial donations to Heart & Stroke Foundation would be appreciated. Arrangements entrusted to Considerate Cremation & Burial Services, 26 Nihan Drive, St. Catharines (between Lake Street & Scott Street), 289-362-1144. Online condolences may be made at CCBSCares.ca