John Robert “Bob” Convery, age 89, passed away at his home in Winston, Montana on Sunday August 20, 2017. Bob was born on June 5, 1928 in Trenton, New Jersey, the eldest son of Viola Barton Wall (Convery) and Dr. Robert Ambrose Convery, who was a graduate of Georgetown University and Harvard Medical School. Bob attended Neptune High School, and played as a guard (#41) on the high school football team before enlisting in the Marine Corps to serve in both World War II and the Korean War.
Bob was awarded the purple heart for his service as a Marine. He was retired/disabled as a Staff Sergeant due to the injuries he sustained in Korea on September 18, 1951 while serving with Easy Co., 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Division. Bob’s father died unexpectedly shortly after visiting his son while he was recovering from his war wounds at St. Albans Naval Hospital in Queens, NY. His father’s early death had a profound impact on him. Bob admired and respected his father, and spoke very highly of him throughout his life.
After his father’s death, Bob returned home to Neptune and helped provide for his mother and siblings while attending college. He studied French and German at Monmouth Junior College under the tutelage of his mentor, Robert E. Pike, PhD, author of “Spiked Boots,” “Tall Trees and Tough Men.” Bob graduated from Rutgers University with a Master’s of Arts and was one of the original faculty members at Wall High School when it opened in 1959. As a student of language, Bob took immense pleasure in teaching German and French to his students. He earned the respect of the administration, faculty and his students and was well thought of by all who had the pleasure of working with him.
Bob married Evelyn Louise Withington (Convery), from Point Pleasant Beach, NJ., on November 25, 1959. Bob and Evelyn (“Lyn”) lived in Germany for a year with two young sons while Bob taught at the University of Freiburg on a teacher exchange program. Upon their return, Bob and Lyn settled in Brick, NJ., where they raised their four children. Bob and Lyn lived for their children and sacrificed a great deal to ensure that all four of them obtained a college education. Bob retired in 1987 as the head of the foreign language department at Wall High School. In 1993 Bob and Lyn moved to Charlottesville, VA., to be closer to their daughter. They lived in Virginia for nearly ten years before following their daughter out to Montana, where they made their final home together.
Bob enjoyed bird hunting with his sons and Brittany spaniels. He was an avid gun and custom knife collector and served as a game warden at Lakehurst Naval Air Station. Bob practiced conservative politics and had a unique approach to discipline, education, politics, and life. He also loved to read, and particularly enjoyed his wonderful collection of German books. Bob had diverse musical tastes, and particularly enjoyed classical, German, French and big band music. His two favorite movies were Patton with George C. Scott and Back to School with Rodney Dangerfield. Bob was also a student of the Civil War and spent time traveling around Virginia with his wife visiting Civil War battlefields. Although he did not attend church, Bob was a devout Catholic and sought comfort in his faith in God at the end of his life.
Although he had faults, Bob was devoted to his wife and children and always did his best to ensure that they were taken care of. He was a complex man who lived a simple life. He had an acerbic wit that won over all who got to know him, especially those who cared for him at the end of his life. He passed from this world with his daughter and her partner at his side, and his faithful cat Mack aka “Max” lying next to him on his bed. He was also attended at his death by Hannah, one of his in-home caregivers. May he find peace and everlasting life as he reunites with those whom he loved that passed before him.
Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn; his parents, Viola and Robert; and a brother, William (“Bill”) J. Convery.
Bob is survived by his daughter, Rebecca A. Convery and her partner, Lisa Henry, of Winston, Montana; three sons: Robert W. Convery and his wife Donna, of Morgan, Texas; John M. Convery and his wife Arlene, of Loxahatchee, Florida; Patrick W. Convery and his husband Nicholas Tartaglia Jr., of Bloomfield, New Jersey; three sisters: Mary Barbara Natella, Sheila Dailey, and Carol Convery; a brother: Thomas Michael “Mike” Convery; four grandsons: Kevin, Kelly, Michael and Jonah Convery; a granddaughter: Kathryn White; and two step-granddaughters: Heather George and Kristen Kelley.
Bob will be interred alongside his parents at Saint John Cemetery, run by The Church of the Sacred Heart located in Trenton, New Jersey. A private family viewing will be held at the Campbell Funeral Chapel immediately preceding the burial.
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