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Gene Conley
Berman Eugene Conley of Smyrna, DE was called home on Wednesday, April 27, 2022, the day before his 75th birthday. To those who know and love him, he is Gene, Hon, Dad, Pop, Uncle Gene, Buddy, or a host of other special titles he’s lovingly acquired over the years. Gene had the amazingly good fortune of meeting his best friend Louise, at the young age of 16 and was wise enough to marry and keep her for over 55 years. Through everything, they navigated life together; her as “the boss” (his way of acknowledging she’s the rock and foundation of this family) and him as the courageous, hardworking provider who never failed to deliver a great one-liner at the most perfect of times. The family they built together was always the accomplishment for which he was most proud. In addition to his wife Louise, Gene blessed the lives of his two daughters, Cynthia Louise Westhoff & Jennifer Jean Haynes. He loved taking them fishing, teaching them to shoot and how to change a tire and oil in a car because he knew how important it was for young women to be able to do these things, especially how to bait your own hook. He also enjoyed buying them hostess cupcakes for breakfast and cheering them on at all their activities growing up. Gene often shared how proud he was of all they had accomplished as adults, but the girls lovingly attribute their successes back to the life lessons and love that he and Louise provided. Gene’s girls went on to grow his family legacy with the addition of his son-in-law Greg Haynes and his three grandchildren, Robbie & Delaney Westhoff, and Evan Haynes. Gene once again found joy in attending all the sporting events, band concerts, football games, State Fair events, and various activities that these busy kids found to get into. And again, he taught the important things in life like appreciating random golf cart rides, the idea that it doesn’t matter if you win or lose, only that you did your best and that boat rides and fishing are always best when you’re with people you care about. Gene loved time spent with family and was especially close to Greg Haynes who he thought of as his own son. Greg always made sure Gene had his coffee, the perfect steak, and a comfortable seat. As his family looks back on a life well lived and an encyclopedia of things Gene taught us, one of the key lessons was how to be a good person. From the sly smile he flashed and the spark in his eye when sharing something funny to the way he always tried so hard to make sure everyone was comfortable and having a great time at his famous pig roast parties, Gene was always easy to love. It didn’t matter where he was or what you were doing, he made friends everywhere he went…even a random elevator in the middle of Disney World. That said, he always seemed to develop a special bond with the nurses who cared for him over the years. They loved his wit and easy-going attitude and he appreciated how hard they worked to take care of patients. Gene would want to share a special thank you to all the nurses who have cared for him, with the most important one being Louise. Gene had another love: a love of hunting, fishing, the outdoors and just nature in general. He was surrounded by many lifelong friends who shared that with him. As time continues to pass and we find ourselves graced by a beautiful sunrise, a calm day floating on the bay, or the unexpected and gentle quiet of a family of deer passing through, take a moment and think of Gene. Gene leaves behind his wife of 55 years, Louise Conley, his daughters Cynthia Louise Westhoff and Jennifer Jean Haynes, his son-in-law Gregory Haynes, three grand-children Robert & Delaney Westhoff, and Evan Haynes, and his golden retriever Penny. He is also survived by his brother and sister, Milton and Rebecca Sue Conley and a host of beloved in-laws and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father Berman Russell Conley, mother Martha Conley-Harvey, and brothers Vernon & Paul Conley. A viewing will held on Thursday, May 5, 2022 from 10 to 11 am in the Faries Funeral Chapel, located at 29 South Main Street in Smyrna. Funeral services will begin at 11 am. The funeral services will be streamed on the Faries Funeral Directors and Crematorium Facebook page, with the stream starting at 10:45 am. Burial with military honors will be held on Tuesday, may 17, 2022 at 10 am in the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Bear, Delaware. Facial covering are required for the services per request from the family. <iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=286&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Ffariesfuneral%2Fvideos%2F528702462031443%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=0" width="560" height="286" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe>April 28, 1947 - April 27, 202204/28/194704/27/2022
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Gene Conley
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