Edward Thomas (Tom) Conmy III
September 9, 1937 ~ February 1, 2018
“…to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived, this is to have succeeded.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
Edward Thomas (Tom) Conmy III passed away Thursday, Feb. 1, 2018, after many years of living valiantly with Parkinson’s Disease. He was born on Sept. 9, 1937, in Fargo to E. Thomas Conmy Jr. and Doris (Cullen) Conmy. Tom’s childhood home was on Fargo’s South 9th Street. Being a creature of habit, his home 80 years later was just a block away on Fargo’s South 9th Street.
He attended St. Anthony’s Elementary School and graduated from Shanley High School in 1955. Following high school he served in the U.S. Navy for two years as a diesel mechanic on the LST Dunn County, traveling from the Arctic to Hawaii. He earned both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in Ag Economics at NDSU. During his college years he worked for Burlington Northern Railroad building bridges and laying track. After college he worked as a stockbroker for the firm of Piper, Jaffrey and Hopwood and was on the staff of North Dakota Sen. Milton Young in Washington, D.C.
Tom’s great grandfather, grandfather and father were all attorneys and Tom decided to follow the family’s legal tradition. He returned to school and graduated from UND Law in 1971. He practiced law at Nilles Law Firm in Fargo for 33 years, retiring in 2008. He was a lawyer’s lawyer.
He met his wife, Liz Anne, in a goose blind while hunting in Langdon. They married in 1999 and Tom became a stepdad to Andrew, Phillip and Laura. The joy of his life, Tommy Conmy IV, was born in 2001. Tom was a doting father and taught Tommy the proper way to shoot fireworks and guns, to love sports, and things a gentleman should refrain from saying in public.
Tom spent a lifetime of summers at the lake and built many memories and friendships at his beloved Lake Melissa. He also took great pleasure in never missing his once-a-year day of work bartending at Duffy’s on St. Patrick’s Day. Even the court clerk knew not to schedule him for a trial on that day.
Sincerely missing Tom are his wife, Liz Anne, and son, Tommy; stepchildren Andrew, Phillip, and Laura Weiss; his sister Jane Reff (Jack Sunday), brothers David and Bruce (Lynette); nephews Mike Reff, Matt Conmy, Mark Conmy and Bill (Lori) Conmy; niece Susan Reff (Mike Farrell); great nephew Johnathan and great nieces Abigail and Maddie.
The family thanks the incredible staff at Rosewood on Broadway for their kindness, patience and humor.
In lieu of memorials, the family asks that you simply raise a glass to Tom on St. Patrick’s Day.
Memorial Mass: 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, February 7, 2018 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, Fargo with visitation starting at 1:00 P.M.
Celebration of Tom’s Life following Wednesday’s service: 3:30 P.M. – 6:00 P.M. at Sanctuary Events Center Suite 670, 670 4th Ave N., Fargo ND.
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To Tom’s Family,
I am an official court reporter in Grand Forks, but from 1991-2000 I was a freelance court reporter in Fargo. Tom was one of my clients, and I took many depositions with him. What a class act he was! He was such a sweet man. I enjoyed working with him for those 9 years. I just saw the news of his passing on the Supreme Court website, and I wanted to send my condolences. I am so sorry for your loss! May you feel the Lord’s peace and comfort at this most difficult time, that only He can provide
Tom was such a very special friend to both Bruce and I. He spent many weekends at our place in Detroit Lakes drinking beer with Bruce. We’ll certainly miss him, he was one of a kind!! Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Deepest Condolences to Tom’s Family. Had many St. Patrick’s day drinks with Tom over the years. As a fellow late blooming Irish Lawyer, he was a role model for me in many ways.
My sincere sympathy is extended to Tom’s family. May God give you strength in this difficult time.
Sincere sympathy to Liz Anne and the Conmy family on the loss of Tom. We are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
The Nelsons
Eileen, Tom & Kathy
Liz Anne,
I was so sad to see this as I was searching for my father’s obituary this morning. As you know, Tom was one of my favorites…as was your Dad. Those two could get into trouble just looking at each other!! I’ve missed seeing him these past few years and my heart breaks to know that I won’t again, at least not here. I hope you feel comforted by the many good memories he left you with and Tommy, of course. I am out of town and unable to attend the service, but will be there in spirit.
Much love to you and the rest of the family
Hug Jane for me.
I had both the privilege of litigating cases against Tom and of being next-door neighbor to the Conmy family since 2001. Tom was one of the few “gentlemen lawyers” left in the profession when he retired. It was always a pleasure having a case with Tom no matter how contentious the underlying issues were. During a trial we had against each other in Cando, at one point my client leaned over to me and said “that Conmy is clever like a fox” which summed up Tom’s lawyering skills pretty well. And we couldn’t have asked for better neighbors than Tom and his family. Seeing Tom out in the yard with Tommy at the end of the day always brought a smile to my face. Liz, Tommy, Andrew, Phillip, Laura – the Carlsons give you all our deepest condolences.
My deepest sympathy LizAnn to you and familu. Tom was a great neighbor at the lakes .
Liz and family
Tom was a great man who was always full of fun. When my dad was alive, the two of them had many adventures on Lake Melissa. I always remember getting to the lake on Friday night and soon there would be a knock on the back door and a smiling face peering in. It would be Tom coming to check in on my dad. They would sit for awhile until Tom would say, “well I better get back over and check on Liz Anne.” He will be missed.
ET and I shared the experience of taking the LSAT together. We have been friends since.Ironically,our last shared experience consisted of fighting the same disease,which Tom has done so courageously. While he was an excellent Lawyer,more importantly,he was a good and decent man. A life well lived was his. Michael O McGuire
Liz Anne and family. I cannot tell you how many times Tom advised me on professional and personal issues. I could ask him anything and know I would get an honest answer, and always with his tongue and cheek humor. He was a gem of a friend that I will always miss and think of with a smile. Until we meet again, RIP Tom. Sherri Anderson
Liz Anne and family
Sorry to hear of Tom’s passing.
As a freelance court reporter I had the opportunity to work with Tom on many occasions. He was a class act, a gentleman and always a joy to work with. He told great stories with a twinkle in his eye!
There are people that we cross paths with in life and are blessed to have had the opportunity to know.
God bless his memory. Ruth Ann Johnson
First met Tom in Grand Forks when he was with Piper as a broker- at Ryan Bar- I was a young lawyer and a bunch of us would ” have one” after work – Always pleasant and interesting – He later worked at Nillies Firm where I was well acquainted – would see him from time to time and discuss ” the old days”
Sorry to learn of his Parkinson’s- as my daughter is so aflicted also-
My sympathy to Toms family at this sad time
Respectfully,
Pat Maddock
Liz and family, you are the most devoted wife and he was so lucky to have you. That you blessed him with his son was a lovely little miracle. Can I raise a glass of beer every day? Or do I have to wait for St. Patrick’s Day? In other words, I’ll have to leave a memorial For something Irish. Thinking of you and wishing I could be with you tomorrow
Dear Liz and Family,
I know how much you loved Tom and Tom loved you. He was blessed to have you in his life. You were blessed by Tom and his wisdom and wit — not necessarily in that order.
I am sorry I cannot be with you for the funeral. I will, of course, break the rules and donate to Marv Bossart’s Parkinson Foundation in Tom’s memory.
Peace to you all, Katherine Tweed
A class act who had the gift of a loving family, my prayers go out to Toms family, and Liz and Andy especially as I had a chance to get to know them through Shanely.
i have missed Tom for years, with his health issue. he was a dear Man and Friend. will always remember Tom