Glynn Conley '59 GPUS

GIVE A GIFT TO HONOR
GLYNN CONLEY '59 GPUS

Glynn Conley passed away on Oct. 31, 2020. Glynn ' 59 GPUS was a beloved teacher, coach, co-worker, classmate and friend to our entire community and his loss will be mourned by all. With a seemingly endless supply of jokes and anecdotes, Glynn was known for his wit, wisdom warmth and kindness.

Like his father before him, Glynn became a teacher and taught at ULS for 35 years in the Lower School before retiring in 2009. Glynn was a legendary coach of football, basketball and baseball, maintaining an active involvement with the baseball team through the 2019 season.

His athletic exploits at GPUS earned him induction into our Alumni Athletic Hall of Fame in 2017 and his coaching success earned him a place in the Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Glynn's students and players adored him and he maintained decades-long connections with many of them.

Our fundraising goal is $100,000, an achievement we believe is well within reach because of Glynn’s impact on our school and athletics program. Are you a better person for knowing Glynn? Did he help push you further than you thought possible, in the classroom or on the field? If so, we ask that you honor Glynn Conley’s legacy by making a gift today.

MY DAD, GLYNN
By Katy Conley '01

My dad, Glynn Conley had a seemingly endless Rolodex of stories he loved to tell. One of his favorite to tell me was as follows: "Katy you were born at 9:14 am, in Saint Johns Hospital, in Detroit, and it was the happiest moment of my life. I held you for the first time and took your little hand in mine. I couldn't believe how small it was. I looked at you and said 'Hi baby Katy. I'm your daddy, and I love you very much. I've been waiting to meet you for awhile now. There's a whole wide world out there, and I can't wait to show it to you and share it with you.' He told me this often, multiple times a year, because he never missed an opportunity to make me smile and feel loved. This was the way he took on most everything in his life: bartending, teaching 4th grade, coaching football and baseball, his friendships, being a husband and father. He always knew how to make other people smile, and how to teach them, whether it be arithmetic, how to throw a curve ball, or one of his (endless supply) of favorite jokes.

My father had an innate kindness, and he shared it with everyone who crossed his path. He could make anyone laugh, he was perennially jovial. Not only did past students of his consistently reach out to him to tell him he was their favorite teacher or coach, some of them felt so strongly about it they reached out to tell *me* what a great teacher he was. I agree with them; he taught me so much, and I can't imagine how he could have done a better job.

We have always had a special and very close bond and a shared sense of humor. He always encouraged me to harness my creativity and told me that I could achieve and be whatever I wanted. He was there to talk me through both the joys and the sorrows of life. He loved my mom with every piece of his heart and cared for "his girls", always.

I'm glad he held my hand in the beginning, and I'm glad I got to hold his these last few days at the end. He was at peace and out of pain. We played his favorite music, and told him how much he means to so many people, just how very loved he was, is, and always will be.

In an oddly comforting symmetry, this morning at 9:14 am, in Beaumont Hospital hospice, my dad left us- peacefully, gently, and with no pain. Wherever he is now, I hope his night is starting off with a well-poured bourbon, baseball on the tv, a lot of clinking glasses in cheers, and hugs from all those he loved who have passed before him. I'm sure they have been missing him as much as I am going to and already am. Dadda, thank you for always keeping your promise and sharing this world with me, teaching me and showing me so much. I love you with all of my heart, and I always will.