Kevin Conway became  a world champion for Canada

Conway, a defenceman for the Penticton Vees that won gold for Canada at the 1955 IIHF World Championship has died.

He passed away peacefully May 8 in hospital.

Born in Vankleek Hill, Ontario, in 1927, Conway – was a top prospect for the Montreal Canadiens, but after one season with the Jr. Canadiens he moved west and continued his amateur career.

Conway played two seasons for the Vees, a team that went to the Allan Cup finals in 1953 and won in 1954, resulting in the team’s nomination to represent Canada at the World Championship in West Germany.

Teammates included  – Dick, Grant, and Bill Warwick – and goalie Ivan McLelland.

Conway played in seven of eight games for Canada, including the 5-0 win versus the Soviet Union on the final day of the tournament to clinch gold. It was an enormous victory because the previous year the Soviets had prevailed in the first ever meeting between the teams.

The Vees were inducted into the B.C. (British Columbia) Sports Hall of Fame & Museum in 1976.

Kevin was a member of the 1955 Penticton Vees Hockey World Championship Team and continued to engage his love of the game by coaching many teams, running hockey schools and he cherished his role as ambassador of the game once retired.

Kevin was also a successful businessman in many ventures but notably Kev Conway’s Carmi Chevron, the Dairy Queen and being the first Self-Serve gas station agent for Chevron Canada. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, June 15, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. from St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Penticton, BC followed by a Celebration of Life in the reception hall.