entering natick sign

entering natick sign

Natick Report

More than you really want to know about Natick, Mass.

  • Subscribe to daily email
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Eat
  • Schools
  • Summer Camp
  • Letters to the editor
  • Guidelines for letters to the editor
  • Redhawks sports schedule & results
  • Embracing diversity
  • Charities/Community
  • Arts
  • Events
  • Kids
  • Business
  • Environment
  • Top 10 things to do
  • The Swellesley Report
  • Beyond Natick
  • History
  • Government
  • Seniors
  • Support independent journalism
  • Natick Nest articles
  • Fire & police scanner
  • Town Election 2023


Flags at half-staff for Natick’s Brett Conaway, Massachusetts Army National Guard Colonel

July 11, 2022 by Admin Leave a Comment

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker has ordered that the United States of America flag and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts flag be lowered to half-staff from sunrise until sunset at all state buildings on Monday, July 11, the day of interment, in honor of Massachusetts Army National Guard Colonel Brett Patrick Conaway, of Natick, who passed away on June 29.

Colonel Conaway, Massachusetts Army National Guard, HHD Joint Forces Headquarters, will be laid to rest in a private ceremony with military honors at St. Patrick’s Cemetery.

A Celebration of Conaway’s Life will take place on Monday, July 11 at 4pm in the Natick High School Auditorium, 15 West Street, Natick. The family asks that attendees wear red, white, or blue or a hint of these colors.

Obituary

brett conaway

He was born in Boston, MA, to Pat and Jane Conaway on January 21, 1970, and raised in Natick, MA. Growing up, Brett was a scout, played baseball, basketball, and football, and spent much time with his beloved Carney family aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. His childhood included multiple adventures, including many trips across the country to see his extended and inspiring Conaway clan. His family was everything to him. A proud graduate of Natick High School in 1988, Brett was captain of the football team, a member of the track team, vice president of his class, and leader and friend for all. He began his college experience at Roger Williams College, then continued to Stonehill College, where he got his BA in political science. Brett developed a love for student affairs through his work in residence life and began his professional career as a Residence Director. At that time, he received a MA in guidance and counseling at Providence College. Early in his career, he carried out his commitment to service in his work at Woodtrail Camp, Job Corps, and Street Peace. Brett was commissioned in 1992 as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Military Police Corps and served as a Citizen-Soldier in the Army National Guard for over 30 years. His key assignments included command of the 26th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (Yankee), 211th Military Police Battalion (First Corps of Cadets), and 772nd Military Police Company. Brett mobilized for overseas combat service twice, deploying to Iraq in 2002 and 2009. His military awards included the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, and Combat Action Badge.

After his first deployment, Brett joined the Natick Police Department. Deeply committed to the tenets of law enforcement and public safety, Brett proudly retired as a sergeant for the town he loved so dearly. When he wasn’t working, Brett adored being with his family and friends– coaching and volunteering in many organizations. He especially loved his work with the Veteran Association of the First Corps of Cadets and The Rotary Club of Natick. Brett poured his heart and soul into everything he pursued. He approached his professional and personal life with a fierce passion and vision. Whether championing those he loved, offering a helping hand, or savoring good drinks and food, Brett lived his life robustly with deep love. He believed in the best of humanity, with the ever-present inspiration of the great American experiment. Known for his unwavering enthusiasm and uncompromising tenacity, he will be remembered for his beautiful smile, kind spirit, and booming voice echoing, “Let’s go! Let’s go!”

He is survived by his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Rhonda Garvin Conaway. He also leaves behind the lights of his life, his sons, to which he was truly the best and most loving father: Richard Conaway and Patrick Conaway. He is also survived by his adoring parents, Pat and Jane (Carney) Conaway, sister Miriam Morrison, brother Carlton Conaway, father in law Richard Garvin, and Mother in law Gerry (Healy) Garvin, brother in law Mark Garvin, his wife April (Tighe) Garvin, his son-in-law Graeme Reid, and his nieces & nephews Haley Garvin, Genevieve Morrison, Matthew Morrison, and Bowen Morrison, as well as a large extended family, friends, mentors, and colleagues, he touched during his short life.

Visiting Hours will be on Sunday, July 10th from 4pm to 8pm at the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park Street, Natick Common. A Celebration of Brett’s Life will take place on Monday, July 11th at 4pm in the Natick High School Auditorium, 15 West Street, Natick. The family asks that attendees wear red, white, or blue or a hint of. A private burial with military honors is planned at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Natick. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Brett’s memory to Home Base: Veteran and Family Care (www.homebase.org) or the Veteran Association of the First Corps of Cadets (www.vafcc.org).

More: Natick Veterans Oral History Project (Brett Conaway)

Filed Under: Obituaries & remembrances

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Advertisements





Tip us off!

Please send news tips, photos, ideas to natickreport@gmail.com

If you’d like to contribute $ to support our independent journalism venture, please do….

Advertisements

Categories

  • Animals
  • Art
  • Bacon Free Library
  • Beyond Natick
  • Books
  • Boston Marathon
  • Business
  • Camps
  • Charity/Fundraising
  • Charles River dam
  • Community
  • Construction
  • COVID-19
  • Education
  • Election
  • Embracing diversity
  • Entertainment
  • Environment
  • Fashion
  • Firefighters
  • Food
  • Gardens
  • Government
  • Health
  • History
  • Holidays
  • Kids
  • Letters to the editor
  • Media
  • Military
  • Morse Institute Library
  • Music
  • Natick Election 2022
  • Natick Historical Society
  • Natick History Museum
  • Natick Nest
  • Natick track
  • Neighbors
  • Obituaries & remembrances
  • Opinion
  • Outdoors
  • Parents
  • Police & crime
  • Real estate
  • Recycling Center
  • Religion
  • Restaurants
  • Schools
  • Seniors
  • Shopping
  • Sports
  • Technology
  • Theater
  • Town election 2021
  • Town Election 2023
  • Transportation
  • Travel
  • Uncategorized
  • Vacation
  • Veterans
  • Volunteering
  • Voting
  • Weather
lion publishers
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Get our email newsletter

* indicates required
Our newsletter is free, though we gladly accept contributions to support our work.

Most Read Posts

  • One high school student’s push to save Natick ballroom hidden in plain sight
  • Natick business buzz: Mr. Nice Dog coming to Rte. 9; Dairy Queen is back; The Hive readies to reveal
  • Natick Select Board gives affordable housing plan nod at 5 Auburn
  • Sign up now for summer camp in Natick (and beyond)
  • 5 Auburn St. is back on Natick Select Board agenda

Click image to read The Swellesley Report

The Swellesley Report

Upcoming Events

Mar 23
11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Wellesley Neighbors information session

Mar 24
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

‘The Spongebob Musical: Youth Edition’ at Kennedy Middle School

Mar 25
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

‘The Spongebob Musical: Youth Edition’ at Kennedy Middle School

Mar 25
8:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Singer/songwriter Mary Fahl at TCAN

Mar 26
2:00 pm - 3:30 pm

‘The Spongebob Musical: Youth Edition’ at Kennedy Middle School

View Calendar

Pages

  • Letters to the editor on Natick Report
  • Guidelines for Natick Report letters to the editor
  • Natick election 2023—guidelines for promoting candidates and ballot questions
  • Natick’s 2023 Boston Marathon charity runners
  • Natick, Massachusetts libraries
  • Comment Policy
  • Bacon Free Library in Natick, hours for winter 2023
  • Morse Institute Library in Natick—hours for winter 2023
  • Resources for seniors in Natick, Mass.
  • Natick Report corrections policy
  • Scenic Roads in Natick
  • Where to stay in Natick, Mass. (hotels, inns)
  • Private Schools in Natick (and beyond)
  • Natick Summer Camps (and beyond)
  • Where to eat in Natick, Mass: more that 70 dining options
  • Natick, Mass., history
  • Natick government
  • Natick No-Nos
  • Embracing diversity in Natick
  • Where to worship in Natick
  • Kid stuff (sports, clubs, activities in Natick, Mass.)
  • Contribute to Natick Report
  • Natick Little Free Libraries
  • Natick public schools
  • Where to sled in Natick, Mass.
  • Natick COVID-19 & vaccine news
  • Natick’s zip code & post offices
  • Natick charitable and community action groups
  • Top 10 things to do in Natick, Mass.
  • Natick Arts/Entertainment
  • About Natick Report
  • Advertise on Natick Report
  • Natick rules: Chickens yes, roosters no
  • Natick Election 2023, political candidates advertising
  • Natick election 2022—candidate interviews

© 2023 Natick Report
Site by Tech-Tamer · Login