Obituary for Michael A. Conway
Michael A. Conway, 80, of Simsbury, beloved husband of Veronica (James) Conway died Tuesday, April 18, 2023 at his home. He was born March 11, 1943 in New Castle, PA, son of the late Edward and Isabel (Acker) Conway. He was a longtime resident for 45 years of Westport, CT prior to moving to Simsbury five years ago, spending winters on Brays Island in South Carolina.
Mike was enrolled at the University of South Florida with plans to go into the printing business, but after excelling in his accounting courses he accepted an internship at a local accounting firm. In 1964 he interned at Smith, Brailey and Johnson in Tampa, Florida, which would later merge with Peat Marwick. He became a permanent employee in 1965 and graduated two years later from the University of Miami with high honors and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting and Finance. In 1969 he helped open the firm’s Ft. Lauderdale office. In 1972 he transferred to take a developmental assignment in the firm’s Department of Professional Practice (DPP) in New York. Mike was admitted to the partnership in 1973. From 1975 through 1986 he served in the firm’s White Plains, New York, and Stamford, CT offices, where he was Partner in Charge of Professional Practice and Partner in Charge of Audit. Throughout his career he had a terrific opportunity to work with global and diverse clients and was admired by his colleagues for leading with a kind heart, integrity and humor. Mike completed his 40-year career with KPMG in January 2004, after serving as Senior Professional Practice Partner and the National Managing Partner of DPP/Risk Management-Assurance in New York. Mike was most rewarded in his role knowing that he played a small but deep part in the development of hundreds of professionals who went on to be successful in the firm. In 2004, Mike received an Honorary Doctorate Degree from North Carolina A&T State University. Mike served on KPMG’s U.S. Board of Directors, as Chairman of the Board’s Audit and Finance Committee, and as a member of the Partners’ Rights Committee. He was a member of KPMG’s Management Committee, Chairman of KPMG’s International Quality Performance Committee and served on the AICPA and the Standards Advisory Council of the International Accounting Standards Board.
Mike was active in non-profit organizations giving generously to support his community having served as the President of the United Way of Westport and the President of the Parent Board for Bucknell University. Mike was a faithful member of St. Catherine of Siena Church in West Simsbury. He had enjoyed spending time outdoors fishing, hunting, and golfing and loved to play Hearts and Euchre, but mostly Dominoes; where he dominated as the King. He was often referred to as the storyteller, the Dad Joke Pro and left an enormous and positive impact on all who had the pleasure of knowing him. He loved his family fiercely and was always taking care of them in any way he could.
His faith gave him strength and he knew he was blessed to have been married for 58 years to his devoted wife. He is survived by his wife and his three children, Michele Scholl and husband Bill of Fairfield, Colleen Langlais and husband Steve of Simsbury and Chris Conway of North Stonington; his grandchildren, Stephen Autore, Michael Scholl, Kelsey and Garon Langlais and Cameron and Zoe Conway; and many loving cousins. He was predeceased by his brother, Ed Conway.
Calling hours will be held at the Vincent Funeral Home, 880 Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury on Wednesday, May 3rd from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM followed by a Funeral Mass of Christian Burial, 11:00 AM at St. Catherine of Siena, 265 Stratton Brook Road in West Simsbury. Burial will be in Simsbury Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his memory made to St. Catherine of Siena Church, P.O. Box 184, West Simsbury, CT 06092. Please visit Mike’s Book of Memories at www.vincentfuneralhome.com for online tributes.
Mike was enrolled at the University of South Florida with plans to go into the printing business, but after excelling in his accounting courses he accepted an internship at a local accounting firm. In 1964 he interned at Smith, Brailey and Johnson in Tampa, Florida, which would later merge with Peat Marwick. He became a permanent employee in 1965 and graduated two years later from the University of Miami with high honors and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting and Finance. In 1969 he helped open the firm’s Ft. Lauderdale office. In 1972 he transferred to take a developmental assignment in the firm’s Department of Professional Practice (DPP) in New York. Mike was admitted to the partnership in 1973. From 1975 through 1986 he served in the firm’s White Plains, New York, and Stamford, CT offices, where he was Partner in Charge of Professional Practice and Partner in Charge of Audit. Throughout his career he had a terrific opportunity to work with global and diverse clients and was admired by his colleagues for leading with a kind heart, integrity and humor. Mike completed his 40-year career with KPMG in January 2004, after serving as Senior Professional Practice Partner and the National Managing Partner of DPP/Risk Management-Assurance in New York. Mike was most rewarded in his role knowing that he played a small but deep part in the development of hundreds of professionals who went on to be successful in the firm. In 2004, Mike received an Honorary Doctorate Degree from North Carolina A&T State University. Mike served on KPMG’s U.S. Board of Directors, as Chairman of the Board’s Audit and Finance Committee, and as a member of the Partners’ Rights Committee. He was a member of KPMG’s Management Committee, Chairman of KPMG’s International Quality Performance Committee and served on the AICPA and the Standards Advisory Council of the International Accounting Standards Board.
Mike was active in non-profit organizations giving generously to support his community having served as the President of the United Way of Westport and the President of the Parent Board for Bucknell University. Mike was a faithful member of St. Catherine of Siena Church in West Simsbury. He had enjoyed spending time outdoors fishing, hunting, and golfing and loved to play Hearts and Euchre, but mostly Dominoes; where he dominated as the King. He was often referred to as the storyteller, the Dad Joke Pro and left an enormous and positive impact on all who had the pleasure of knowing him. He loved his family fiercely and was always taking care of them in any way he could.
His faith gave him strength and he knew he was blessed to have been married for 58 years to his devoted wife. He is survived by his wife and his three children, Michele Scholl and husband Bill of Fairfield, Colleen Langlais and husband Steve of Simsbury and Chris Conway of North Stonington; his grandchildren, Stephen Autore, Michael Scholl, Kelsey and Garon Langlais and Cameron and Zoe Conway; and many loving cousins. He was predeceased by his brother, Ed Conway.
Calling hours will be held at the Vincent Funeral Home, 880 Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury on Wednesday, May 3rd from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM followed by a Funeral Mass of Christian Burial, 11:00 AM at St. Catherine of Siena, 265 Stratton Brook Road in West Simsbury. Burial will be in Simsbury Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his memory made to St. Catherine of Siena Church, P.O. Box 184, West Simsbury, CT 06092. Please visit Mike’s Book of Memories at www.vincentfuneralhome.com