Former Troy mayor Robert Conway dies at 78

Robert Conway Jr.

(From the Times Union)

Robert M. Conway Jr., a former Troy mayor regarded as one of the first “pillars” of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), has died. He was 78.

Conway entered city Democratic politics in 1969 when one of his best friends, Tom Wade, then-president of the Young Democrats and later chairman of the Rensselaer County Democratic Committee, asked him to get involved. 

“We were best friends. He always had good in mind. He wanted to do good things. He was a very devout Catholic,” Wade recalled Wednesday about Conway, who was the best man at his wedding. Conway died Monday. 

Conway’s entrance into city politics would see him serve a term on the Rensselaer County Legislature and eventually be elected to serve as an at-large member of the Troy City Council. He was regularly the top vote-getter when he ran for the council, according to Times Union reports.

Conway was the last Democrat to serve as mayor when the position was filled by the council. He served as mayor for two terms, concluding his service in 1993. Troy would switch to a strong-mayor form of government with the election of Democrat Mayor Mark Pattison in 1995. 

“Troy lost a loyal and dedicated public servant yesterday with the passing of Bob Conway -- former county legislator, city councilman and mayor,” said Sue Steele, City Council president. “I had the pleasure of serving as staff at the Rensselaer County Legislature where Bob represented Troy. There wasn’t a more enthusiastic champion of our city than Bob. We reconnected during my recent campaign for council president and it was good to share stories of the days when politics was more civil and collaborative.”

While Conway was a presence in city politics, his reach extended to RPI where he worked for decades in a variety of roles assisting student performance and to Hudson Valley Community College where he was a member of the board of trustees for about 20 years. 

The first “Pillars of Rensselaer Award,” which recognizes a long-term staff member who understands the school’s mission and history, has been a role model for other employees, shows concern for students and their welfare, adds to the human dimension of the school and who plays an active role in their home community. Conway was a member of the RPI Hall of Fame and a recipient of the first “Pillars of Rensselaer” awarded by the university. 

Some of the posts he held at RPI include registrar and director of advisory and learning assistance. He also handled RPI football games on radio broadcasts for 20 years, according to his obituary in the Times Union. 

Conway attended the LaSalle School in Albany, and graduated from the Christian Brothers Academy. He would later earn an associate' s degree at HVCC followed by a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in educational administration from the University at Albany. He later was named an honorary Christian Brother for his service to the school. He also received an honorary doctor of laws degree from Manhattan College. 

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