John Robert Conlisk

On August 2, 2009, John Robert Conlisk Sr., of Darlington, passed away peacefully in his sleep at Perry Point Medical Center. He was born on August 20,1924 to the late William C. Conlisk and the late Georgetta C. Conlisk in Monroe, Michigan. He  attained the rank of Eagle Scout and later became an adult Scout leader.

Mr. Conlisk joined the Army during WWII and was a member of a rifle company that landed in the initial assault on Leyte on Oct.20,   1944. He was wounded twice and

awarded a Bronze Star, a Combat Infantryman Badge and  a Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster. He never forgot the generosity of his country for the GI bill, which gave him the opportunity to attend the University of Notre Dame, where he was graduated cum laude in 1949.  His grandfather attended Notre Dame in 1858 and two of his children and a granddaughter also were graduated from Notre Dame . He was employed  as a chemical engineer for Astra Zeneca and the Edgewood Arsenal.

John married Jane Schrauder in 1948 and they moved to MD in 1949. Darlington became their residence in 1952 and John was recently honored as a member of the Darlington Lions Club for 50 years, serving as President and various other positions. He was chairman of Christmas Basket committee for 25 years, repairing bicycles, raising funds and directing the distribution. John was a very competitive bridge player, who immediately bid “3 No Trump.” He also enjoyed repairing anything broken, reading, watching old movies and rooting for all teams Notre Dame.

He was the beloved husband of Jane J. Conlisk for 61 years, loving father of John R. Jr., and Mary Conlisk of Valpariaso, Indiana; Georgette C. and John S. Mester of Darlington, MD; Patrick William Conlisk of Mariposa, California; Mary Jane and W. Lee Cook of Darlington, MD; Elizabeth Conlisk and Mary Stuart of South Deerfield, MA; and Amy Conlisk of Darlington, MD. He was “Gramps” to Clare and Annie Conlisk of Winnetka, IL; Bethanie S. Van Horne of Houston, TX; Wynona Parry of Chico, CA; Christopher Gonzales and Ray Conlisk of Mariposa, CA; JW Cook of Bel Air, MD; Tyler Cook and Brittany Conlisk of Darlington, MD; and Katherine, Sarah and Timothy Stuart Conlisk of South Deerfield, MA and to his 4 great grandsons, Boomer Carr, Ptolemy and Solar Parry and Jackson Tucker Van Horne.

He was preceded in death by his three siblings, his daughter Kathleen Conlisk in 1954, his grandson Tucker Carr in 2005.

Mr. Conlisk and his family truly appreciate the compassionate and dedicated care he received from the staff at the VA Medical Center at Perry Point.

A viewing will be held on Tuesday, August 4, from 3-5 and 7-9 PM, at Zellman Funeral Home, P.A., 123 South Washington Street, Havre de Grace, Maryland 21078. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, August 5, 10:00 AM, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 615 Congress Avenue, Havre de Grace, Maryland. Interment will be held at Darlington Cemetery, Darlington, MD. Father William J. O’Brien will officiate. Pallbearers will be John R. Conlisk, Jr., Patrick W. Conlisk, W.Lee Cook, John S. Mester,  J.W. Cook and Tyler Cook.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Darlington Lions Club, P.O. Box 393, Darlington, MD 21034, Darlington Fire Company, 2600 Castleton Road, Darlington, MD, or Wilson Community Center: Tucker’s Court Fund, 1024 South Main Street, Darlington, MD.  

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