Peter Conroy: Tributes flow for devoted father and loved member of Bellingen community

Bellingen is mourning the loss of a much-loved member of the community described by his family as “honourable, strong-minded and a damn good hard worker”.

Seven Hills born Pete Conroy, 57, passed away in March after a battle with cancer. He moved to Bellingen in 2009.

It’s the little things that Karli Conroy will miss most about her dad.

His laugh, his cologne, his cheeky sense of humour, asking for someone to flick the kettle on, and above all else the warm feeling of being loved by him.

Pete Conroy lost his battle with liver cancer at the age of 57 last week. Pete Conroy Jnr. Karli Conroy, Pete Conroy, Jack Conroy and Tiarna Conroy.

The Bellingen community is mourning the loss of Peter John Conroy who passed away at the age of 57 last week.

Remembered for his dedication to the community, his family, the Bellingen/Dorrigo Valley Magpies Rugby League Club and his Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs, Peter has been described as “honourable, strong-minded and a damn good hard worker”.

“There’s many things I’ll miss about my dad. He was the one person in my life that I idolised and I always found myself trying to make him proud,” his 21-year old daughter Karli said.

‘Big Pete’ as he was affectionately known was born and bred in the western Sydney suburb of Seven Hills.

Seven Hills born Pete Conroy, 57 moved to Bellingen in 2009.

It was here that Peter grew to learn the value of hard work, starting his own business, ‘Conroy Concreting’.

Growing up in Sydney in the 1970s, you very quickly find out rugby league was more of a religion than a pastime and Peter took this in his stride with vigour.

His love for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs blossomed into one of his greatest hobbies with his daughter Karli saying he never missed out on their games.

If he couldn’t watch the Bulldogs on TV, then he would be in his room laying in his bed listening to the game on the radio.

He moved to Bellingen on the mid-north coast in 2009 where the bond with his family grew even stronger.

It was a seamless transition for him to settle into the new place he called home with Karli admitting his heart belonged in the small town.

He loved Bellingen because of the environment, the location, the community, the footy clubs and the friendships.

Pete Conroy sponsored the Bellingen/Dorrigo Valley Magpies in Group 2 and was a devoted fan.

“Dad would always take my brother Peter and I, for walks along the beach in Mylestom. We would walk on that beach every weekend,” Karli said.

“I remember the yearly Easter weekend family camping trips to Hill End. Dad would take us kids to go yabbying, and take us for rides on the quad bike.”

He enjoyed teaching and nurturing his son Lil’ Pete Conroy, or better known by the nickname he lovingly bestowed upon him; ‘Boofhead’.

Pete Conroy with his two sons, Peter and Jack.

“He would go to watch and support every game Peter played,” Karli remembered.

“Dad would take Peter to the Graveyard fields in Bello and train him himself. He would also take Peter to Sparra’s Boxing training and to the Urunga gym.

“Dad was Peter's number one supporter, and it’s safe to say he was really proud to call him his son.”

His love for his family was strong until the very end when he succumbed to liver cancer last week.

While he lay in hospital, his wife sat beside him asking him “what are you?” to which he would reply “loved”.

On the last night before he passed he was asked again and replied “Conroy!”

A pause filled the room followed by a word that describes him to the end, “loved”.

Pete will be farewelled by his family in Glennifer on Wednesday.