Ab Conway

Ab Conway was active in both gymnastics and track while a student at St. Catharines’ Ridley College, but he focused on the latter upon matriculating at the University of Toronto. As a student, he was selected to represent Canada at the 1936 Summer Olympics, where he was eliminated in the semi-finals of the 800 metre event. He graduated with a law degree in 1937, but continued his athletic career for another year so that he could compete at the 1938 British Empire Games.

Following his retirement from active competition, Conway began working at the Anglo Canadian Leather Company, his family’s business. His career was interrupted in 1942, however, when he joined the Canadian Army and served in World War II, eventually reaching the rank of Captain. Upon his return he continued to work at the tannery, transferring when it was sold to a larger concern in 1962 and retiring in an executive position in 1980. He took up a number of administrative roles in sporting and business organizations, and also coached track and field athletics. He was made a member of the Huntsville (Ontario) Sports Hall of Fame in 1997.

Personal Best: 800 – 1:55.9 (1936).