CLEARLAKE OAKS ? The subject of a recent Record-Bee feature story has died. Bill Conway, who had dedicated his life to the care of his invalid son, died at the side of his son”s hospital bed last Sunday.
“It sounds like he was in the hospital with him and had a massive heart attack,” longtime friend Gary Logoteta said. “He was distressed over the care Josh was getting down there. The last thing we talked about was that he was planning to move Josh up here because (Josh) wasn”t classified as ?critical” care anymore. Bill said he was having a lot more good days than bad days.”
Just a few weeks prior to his death, Conway was seeking the assistance of the community in order to retain the home he and his son shared in Clearlake Oaks. He was supporting himself and his son on Social Security Insurance (SSI) and In Home Support Services (IHSS) income, which both ceased in June when an unexpected illness forced Joshua Conway into the hospital.
Conway had said he was forced to live in his car during his visits to San Leandro where his son is under the care of Kindred Hospital. He had said that it is difficult for his son to communicate and that his presence was needed in order to convey Josh”s needs to the medical staff. Logoteta said he doesn”t know what will happen to Josh now and that he will likely become a ward of the state.
Logoteta said that the dedication Bill Conway had given to his son is to be commended. “When Josh was born, it just changed his life” Logoteta said, adding that he had known Conway for more than 30 years. “He was enjoying the bachelor life, but then he met his wife, Josh”s mom, and he settled down. Then, when Josh was born everything changed. I think Josh was only a couple years old when Bill decided to put his life on hold and dedicate all of his time to taking care of his son.”
Logoteta said that when Conway learned that Josh”s condition would be a lifelong situation he decided it would be his lifelong mission to care for him. “He only had a few hours a night of respite. He would call me from time to time when he needed assistance or spiritual guidance,” Logoteta said. “Instead of turning Josh over to the state like a lot of people would do he chose to dedicate his life to caring for his son and that”s highly commendable.”
Logoteta said that he has offered to officiate at Conway”s services; however, service dates are still pending. He said that he expects the contributions that were received thus far, will likely go toward burial costs.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
