HUDSON FALLS – Richard M. Conley, 69, a lifelong resident of Hudson Falls, passed away Sunday, January 16, 2022, at his home, after a hard-fought battle with cancer, with his family by his side.
Born February 28, 1952, in Glens Falls, he was the son of the late Ernest and Barbara (Carlisle) Conley.
Rick was a 1971 graduate of Hudson Falls High School. After high school he attended Adirondack Community College then Plattsburgh State, graduating in 1975 with a bachelor’s degree.
In August of 1976, Rick married the love of his life, Joyce Crenshaw, at the Hudson Falls United Methodist Church.
Rick spent his 32-year career at Hudson Falls High School, teaching American History, Economics and Government. He also was active as a boys and girls high school and college level basketball official for 43 years. He refereed for various teams throughout the community, including boys soccer and coached girls JV basketball and boys freshman basketball. Rick ran the Summer Youth Program at Derby Park for many years. He also worked as an inspector for the Washington County Board of Elections for many years.
Rick had a passion for traveling, history and restoration work. Throughout his life he visited many historical locations and volunteered at Gettysburg for 21 years, restoring cannons. He was always active in his community and continually looking for ways to give. He was proud to have solely manned the efforts to restore items throughout the community including the local Civil War Cannon, on display in Juckett Park, the birdcage brass elevator at the Masonic Temple and the antique firehose cart at the Kingsbury Volunteer Fire Co.
Upon retirement, he focused his time restoring the Strand Theater, with his dog, Hooper, by his side. Rick enjoyed spending time with his loved ones, boating, hiking, biking and walking. He was always up for good conversation with anyone who would listen. You could often find Rick in his quiet time building model railroads, dioramas of the canal and canal boat, the 5 Combines, the Griffin Lumber Yard and Fort George.
Besides his parents, Rick was predeceased by his in laws, Charlotte and Dale Crenshaw and his brother-in-law, Dennis Crenshaw. He also dearly missed his dog, Boomer.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 45 years, Joyce Conley of Hudson Falls; his children, Jill Conley (Anthony Rodriguez) of St. Petersburg, FL, Brian Conley (Nicole Weakley) of Schenectady; his brother, Andrew Conley (Patricia) of Hudson Falls; his sister-in-law, Diane Crenshaw of Hudson Falls; several nieces and nephews and his beloved dog, Hooper.
Friends may call Thursday, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., 68 Main Street in Hudson Falls.
A Funeral Service will be conducted 11 a.m., on Friday, January 21, 2022, at the funeral home.
Graveside services will be held at 12:00 pm on Friday, April 15, 2022 at Southside Cemetery in South Glens Falls.
A Celebration of Life will follow from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at the Strand Theatre on Main Street in Hudson Falls.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Rick may be made to The Strand Theater, 210 Main Street, Hudson Falls, NY 12839
RIP Rick. Will always remember the good ole days at Derby Park.
My heart goes out to Rick’s family. He will definitely be missed by all who knew him and knew how much he did for his community. Since I knew him, Rick always had a smile on his face, loved to laugh and had only good words to say about whatever or whoever. I will never forget this great guy!
I am saddened by the news of Rick. I enjoyed watching Rick as a student at Hudson Falls and then when he returned as fellow teacher. We had rooms adjacent to each other and shared students. There was never a doubt of his love for his family at home and the school family we shared. His interest in Hudson Falls and preserving history was never in question. How I enjoyed seeing you both and the dog on your walks. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. I share your sorrow
My sincere condolences to the family. Rick was a teacher when I went to HF . Always had a smile on his face and helped Anyone who needed his help. He did a lot for our community too. Thanks Mr. Conley for being a great teacher you will be missed.
Rick was a class act and his light will shine on us forever. He made the world a better place and we are all better people because we had a chance to have him in our life.
It was my privilege to care for Richard during this journey. He fought hard and with dignity. My sincere condolences to Joyce and his family. Beth Hughes RN OCN CR Wood Cancer Center
I am saddened to read of Rick’s passing. His dedication and hard work to mentor basketball officials over many years is to be commended. At the drop of a hat he would grab his duffel bag and head out to a game whether it was on the varsity or modified level. He brought a high level of enthusiasm to each assignment as well as an understanding of the maturation levels of the players drawn from his many years as an educator. His service to IAABO Board 36 was exemplary. The New York Yankees have lost one of their most loyal and dedicated fans.
My deepest sympathies Joyce, to you and your family. I enjoyed reading about Rick’s many accomplishments and I can only imagine the dedication and love he bestowed on his family. He was a very good person and touched so many lives. You can be proud of his lasting legacy. I’m sure there will be a tremendous outpouring of love at his passing, and I am sorry to say I will not be able to attend his wake tomorrow evening.
I would see Mr Conley at Griffin lumber often. I’m the yard guy and he always had a nugget of history to share about Griffins
or the Canal, or the Strand, of course.
Just the nicest man. He’ll be missed.
Rick was an amazing educator and ambassador for Hudson Falls. He leaves a legacy to be proud of. RIP Rick🙏💕
I’m sorry to read this I am a former student of his I always liked him my condolences to his entire family
I am sad to hear about Rick’s passing. Above all that he has accomplished throughout his life Ricks love of family, community and friends I will always remember most. When I would run into Rick or officiate with him our talks it seemed would last forever. I have always had a ton of respect for Rick. His insight and wisdom I will miss. In short Rick is in my Hall of Fame of people. God Bless my friend and rest in Peace as you will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with Joyce and the entire Conley family.
My Condolences to Joyce and the Conley Family.
Fortunate enough to have known Rick for 30+ years through Officiating and Coaching Basketball. No matter what level we were Officiating, Rick treated it as the Biggest Game of the Night.
RIP Rick…Nazz
Conley Family-
I behalf of the Capital District Board of Women’s Basketball Officials please accept our deepest sympathy. Rick was always one of our most professional and well regarded members both on and off the court. RIP my friend.
Such a tremendous loss. He was a fantastic teacher and will be missed by so many
My condolences to you Joyce and your family, I am so so sorry. Rick will be missed by all . He was a wonderful man. Love to all of you sincerely.
So sorry for your loss he was a great person to know and to be friends with you will be missed but never forgotten rest in peace my friend prayers go out to the family 👪
He was my teacher, my Coach and someone I was lucky enough to call a friend. I will miss those opportunities to talk with him, especially about the Yankees and the overall state of baseball. Most recently, those conversations took place on Speaker Heck Island, a place we both enjoyed spending a quiet weekday evening. He will be missed by all those that had the privilege of knowing him. My thoughts are with Joyce, Jill and Brian. RIP Mr. Conley.
I met Joyce and Rick thru my cousin
Lisa and Tom Henderson.
We had gone on a couple of picnics on Lake George and that is when I first met them. I only knew Rick for a short time but enjoyed his company very much. I would like to pass along my deepest condolences to Joyce and her entire family.
Rest In Peace Rick and God bless his entire family.
My Condolences to Joyce and the Conley family. I always enjoyed running into Rick as we would have a fun conversation. He was great friend to my brother Mark and cousin David. David shared many stories of the fun they had on trips to games which could be anywhere no matter how far or remote. He will be missed by many.
I didn’t Know Richard personally just to say Hello. He did several basketball games In Greenwich where my grandsons played and I found him one of the Best. Would wave to him as he did his jogging up and down Burgoyne Ave. and when we did meet someplace he seem to be a great human.
Joyce, thinking of you and your family. I will always be grateful for a childhood neighborhood that had Rick and me as dear friends and a life filled with so many impressionable memories. We loved sports together, exploring the environs (canals!) and just being kids (with great parents he had – loved going to his house!). For me to later in life reconnect on our high school reunion was complete circle in learning of his remarkable life and generosity as a adult, leader and true giver (philanthropist in the truest sense to the community). We can all learn so much from Rick’s example and passion for life, for history, for family, for sports, for community. Our thoughts and prayers for all he touched as we are left with a void…or perhaps a clarion call to do more with each day that we are given. I can hear him…
My deepest sympathies to Joyce and the Conley family. I have known Rick it seems all my life. Just one of the greatest guys I have known and it has been my privilege and honor to have such a darn good friend. I will miss the great conversations and laughs to and from the many games we officiated together and whenever we would bumped in to each other on the streets of Hudson Falls.
I dedicate the rest of my officiating days to Rick as he will always be, “one of the best”! RIP Rick, my friend. I will miss you dearly…Jake
Dear Joyce and family, We we’re so sorry to hear of Rick’s passing. We always enjoyed yours and Rick’s company and his sunny outlook. We still laugh about you guys giving Tom the 40th birthday gift of a prestained white dinner shirt!
Due to preexisting medical conditions and Covid concerns we’ll be unable to attend the wake. But our thoughts and prayers are with you. Tom and Michele Mayer
Dear Joyce and family, We were so sorry to hear of Rick’s passing. We always enjoyed yours and Rick’s company and his sunny outlook. We still laugh about you guys giving Tom a 40th birthday gift of a prestained white dinner shirt!
Due to pre-existing medical conditions and Covid concerns, we’ll be unable to attend the wake. But our thoughts and prayers are with you. Tom and Michele Mayer
Aside from our professional relationship, I got to know Rick personally through his coaching and referring my boys basketball games. Then tables turned when I had the chance to enjoy Jill’s flare for fashion design in my public speaking course and his son Brian’s ability to write sports narratives and conduct interviews with a community leader during that same class. Both children were products of two parents who gave their all to them and our community as a whole.
Lately, however, though Rick and I were A wing buddies in our teaching days, since retirement, my occasional meeting with Rick none the less always involved joy whether it was a short conversation before my grandsons basketball game or just me in my car waving to my friend running down Burgoyne with Hooper looking vibrant and alive and representing what was best about our village of Hudson Falls.
My condolences to you Joyce and your family and may your memories fortify you in the days ahead.
RIP Mr Conley. I remember being his freshman basketball scorekeeper and even babysitting for him in high school. Prayers of peace to his wife, children and other family members.
I was Rick’s art teacher fifty years ago. I enjoyed seeing him many times over the years and laughing about our class ! He did so much with his interests and education. Hopefully these memories will be comforting .
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family
My condolences Joyce and the entire Conley family. I am a former student of his and also a prior co-worker for a short time of Joyce and Diane. I watched him walk the local streets for many many years and always admired his energy. Gone way too soon:(