Farewell to John Conroy: Commemorating the Life of a Long-Standing Board Member and Leade
John Conroy, a cherished member of the Midtown-Metro Achievement Centers Board of Directors and beloved figure in the community, passed away on September 23, 2024, leaving a lasting legacy. John dedicated 15 years to the organization, serving with steadfast commitment Midtown-Metro’s mission of guiding urban youth along the pathways of success.
John Conroy with his wife, Cathy, and daughter, Meg at the 2023 Reach for Excellence Gala
For nearly a decade, John Conroy served as Board President after some five prior years on the board, while leading the law firm of Baker McKenzie. His contributions to Midtown-Metro are beyond measure. During his tenure he professionalized the board in accord with best practices, greatly strengthened fundraising and marketing efforts, and presided over the hiring of executive staff. He did all of this with immense warmth and goodwill, while holding staff and his fellow board members to the highest standards.
“John Conroy took us to a much higher level as an organization—with strength, kindness and understanding. He treats people extremely well and embodies the good character that Midtown and Metro teach. The kids we serve may not know it, but John’s leadership in keeping the programs strong will benefit them for the rest of their lives.”
In 2020, John was honored at Midtown-Metro’s virtual Reach for Excellence Gala. Watch the video tribute here
John leaves behind his wife of 40 years, Cathy, his 7 children, and 11 grandchildren. A beautiful account of his life can be found in his obituary, linked here.
John Conroy at the 2011 Breakfast of Champions
About Midtown-Metro Achievement Centers: Midtown-Metro Achievement Centers (www.midtown-metro.org), through its Metro Achievement Center for girls and Midtown Center for boys, has helped close the achievement gap for underserved students in Chicago since its founding in 1965. Its programming, focusing on academic excellence, virtue development, individual attention, and parental engagement, has led to 100% high school graduation and college enrollment for its students for over 20 consecutive years.