James Conover

James H. Conover ,74, of New City, NY passed away on Thursday, October 19, 2017 surrounded by his family. Jim was the loving husband of his wife of 42 years, Elaine Conod (Conover) and devoted father to Christopher (Katy), Courtney (Brett), Meghan (Anthony), Matthew, and Deirdre. His eight grandchildren , Julian, Sean, Charlotte, Aidan, Nolan, Brendan, Fintan and Delaney were his joy. He is survived by a brother- and sister-in-law and nieces and nephews.

Jim was born in Amsterdam, NY on December 22, 1942, the only child of Harold and Catherine (Cleary) Conover. He attended St, Mary’s Institute and graduated from Siena College. Jim moved to New York City to attend Graduate School at NYU and received his PhD in Genetics and Biochemistry in 1969 and received the Founder’s Day Award for Academic Excellence . His academic research at NYU and the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine was in the areas of Environmental Medicine as well as Cystic Fibrosis, being supported as a Career Scientist for the Health Research Council of the City of New York and a Research Scholar of the National Cystic Fibrosis Foundation with grants from the March of Dimes, NIH, and National Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

After 10 years in research, Jim began a 35 year career in pharmaceuticals working initially at Lederle Laboratories (Wyeth) as a Clinical Study Analyst and later in the area Drug Regulatory Affairs working on submissions for antibiotics and anti-cancer drugs. Jim subsequently worked at Parke-Davis in Ann Arbor, Michigan as Director of World-wide Regulatory Affairs and at Purdue Pharma as Executive Director of Drug Regulatory Affairs and Compliance. Jim retired from Ferring Pharmaceuticals in 2010.

He volunteered with New City Little League and the New City Boy Scouts and was a devoted fan of his children’s activities in swimming, football, softball, basketball and soccer and of course Irish dancing. He loved music, sports and was an avid reader. Jim’s singing voice was always the loudest in the crowd, as his dreams of being a rock star never came to fruition. He had a well honed list of one liners, jokes and sayings that were just as funny on their millionth delivery as they were on the first. His humor, artistic sensibilities and warmth were true gifts and an amazing legacy he left for his family.

Jim’s faith sustained him through the early stages of his declining mental status and as his long journey began, the constant prayers of his family accompanied him. He was loved by his children, his professional associates and friends, but most especially by his wife.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, October 22, 2017 from 4 to 8 PM at Higgins Funeral Home, Main Street, New City, NY. The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 at St. Augustine Church, New City, NY. Jim will be laid to rest at St. Anthony Church Cemetery, Nanuet, NY.