Prof. Mark Edward Conroy

. Mark Edward Conroy, age 66, Emeritus Associate Professor of English at Ohio State University, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones on October 4th in Columbus. Mark was born in Wichita, Kansas on January 29, 1952 to Julie and Bob Conroy. The family soon moved to Fond du Lac Wisconsin, where Mark enjoyed an idyllic childhood and went to St Mary Springs High School. He received his BA from the University of Wisconsin at Madison and his doctorate in Comparative Literature from the State University of New York (SUNY) Buffalo. Mark taught at Louisiana State University - Baton Rouge and at Yale University before coming to Ohio State University where he taught in the English Department for 32 years, retiring in 2017. His specialties were Twentieth-Century British and American literature and criticism, Comparative Literature, and more recently, film, including a popular Hitchcock course. He authored numerous articles and two books: “Modernism and Authority: Strategies of Legitimation in Flaubert and Conrad” and “The Muse in the Machine”. He was a trustee of the Joseph Conrad Society-USA. Conversations with Mark were sought after and long remembered for their reflections of his quick sharp wit, intellect and breadth of knowledge. Those who knew him better saw his deep compassion, integrity, playfulness, and kindness. Mark was an active member of St. Gregory of Nyssa Orthodox Church, where he served on the parish student Scholarship committee. During a valiant long fight with cancer, Mark found inner strengths and insights from his renewed Christian faith, and he found comfort in the support of his church community. Music brought Mark great joy. He was a talented pianist, and family and friends remember special occasions where he entertained us with improvised jazz and renditions of songs like “I’ll be seeing you”. Mark and his wife enjoyed traveling together and daily companionship. She’ll be “seeing him in all the old familiar places” and remember their wonderful times together. Those who knew him were better people for having had the fortune of living, loving and laughing with Mark Conroy. Mark was preceded in death by his mother Julie and by his father Robert Conroy. He is survived by his beloved wife of 30 years, Mary, dear step-mother Ann Conroy, step-sisters Susan Buche (John Koker), Martha Buche (Jim Pattison), Sarah Serdin (Mark), step-brothers Joseph Buche (CJ) and James Buche (Nadine), cousin Michael Ray (Candace), brother-in-law Lubomir Mlynar (Michele), his aunts and many dear nieces, nephews, cousins. Also grieving his loss are close friends David Riede, Natalie Tyler, Jim Battersby, Lisa Kiser, Paul and Marsha Mitchell, Debra Lipkowitz, John Finn, and colleagues, students and good friends new and old. The family would like to express thanks to all those who supported us during our challenging times, and offer our gratitude to the Doctors and Nurses at the James Cancer Hospital, the Dr. Kendra Melanoma Team, as well as Heartland Hospice. Thanks also to our church family, clergy, the parish St Elizabeth’s ministry, extended family and dear friends for their care and support. In lieu of flowers, the Family asks you to consider donating to: St Gregory of Nyssa Orthodox Church (academic) Scholarships https://stgregs.info/parish-life/scholarships/ The James Cancer Hospital programs https://cancer.osu.edu/giving-back The IOCC (International Orthodox Christian Charities) https://www.iocc.org/ways-to-give Or your favorite library or charity

Prof. Mark Edward Conroy

January 29, 1952 - October 4, 2018