Convey, Edwin H.

Fr. Edwin H. Convey, SJ, died October 18, 2010 at Manresa Hall in Philadelphia at age 91. Fr. Convey was a Jesuit for 67 years, a priest for 57 years, a professor of accounting at Loyola University Maryland and a sought-after public defender of the poor in juvenile criminal cases in Baltimore.

Fr. Convey is remembered as a gentleman, capable of working with all kinds of people. Whether advocating for young people’s futures, helping his friends with their taxes, engaging students or offering advice and hope, Fr. Convey was always available to all who sought him.

“He was a very lovable person. He had a very pleasant personality, a wonderful dry wit, a great sense of humor, and he just engaged you,” said Fr. Brian McDermott, SJ, rector of Ignatius House. “He was interested in people, so it was very easy for people to be with him.”

After graduating from New York University with a B.S. in Accounting, Fr. Convey entered the Society of Jesus in 1942 and was ordained a priest on June 21, 1953.

Fr. Convey was a teacher at Loyola for 15 years. He began his ministry as a professor of economics, then obtained his M.B.A in Accounting from NYU in 1959; he continued teaching at Loyola until he changed his career in 1974.

“When his peers were thinking of retiring; Ed was thinking of studying law,” said Fr. Joseph Kennedy, SJ, in his homily at the funeral Mass. Fr. Convey studied law part-time at the University of Maryland and received his J.D. in 1971.

According to McDermott, Fr. Convey originally pursued a law degree to improve his teaching. Once he completed his degree, however, he realized that it would enable him to litigate for social justice. “This is why he took a job as a public defender, to work with troubled youth,” said Fr. McDermott. “We are very proud of him for that.”

Convey worked in Baltimore’s public defender’s office for nearly 25 years. Those who worked alongside him in juvenile court remember him as a kind friend, listener, adviser and a compassionate lawyer.

“Fr. Convey had a tremendous rapport with young people. He spoke their language and could represent them in an effective way in the courtroom,” said Fr . Timothy Brown, S.J., who presided over the funeral Mass. “He was a positive influence for many juvenile offenders.” Convey was called back for special cases long after he officially retired from public defense.

In 1993, he was honored with the St. Thomas More Society of Maryland “Man of all Seasons” award, an honor bestowed on those who embodied the spirit of St. Thomas More.

“He had the respect of countless colleagues-judges, prosecutors as well as younger defense attorneys. He lived out the Jesuit mission: faith that does justice,” said Fr. Brown.