Pat Conroy memorial an ‘outpouring of love’ in Beaufort
Hundreds turned out Saturday for a public memorial at the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park in Beaufort honoring best-selling author and Beaufort’s adopted son Pat Conroy.
They brought lawn chairs and lined both sides of the wide green space overlooking the park’s concrete and brick-covered stage as speakers read excerpts from his work and recounted a few “Pat” stories along the way.
“God did we laugh,” said longtime Conroy friend Bernie Schein.
Schein read an imagined conversation with his friend that he had written — a conversation in which, at times, he imagined Conroy in heaven entertaining God himself.
“God did we laugh,” he said again.
In addition to Schein, those who spoke included South Carolina historian Walter Edgar; USC Beaufort English professor and author Ellen Malphrus; New York Times best-selling novelist Patti Callahan Henry; and Conroy’s widow, novelist Cassandra King.
Citadel classmate John Warley served as the event’s master of ceremonies, and Marlena Smalls of the Hallelujah Singers opened the informal gathering with a melody of folk songs.
Also present at the event were three of Conroy’s siblings, including Kathy Conroy Harvey, Tim Conroy and Mike Conroy.
Hosted by the University of South Carolina Beaufort Center for the Arts and the city of Beaufort, the free public event was a way for many readers, neighbors and just general fans of the iconic Beaufort resident to come together.
“This outpouring of love is very, very special,” said King to those who attended. “It speaks to me and speaks to how Pat meant so much to you.”
Sandra Simmons, of Seabrook, a self-described Conroy fan who read “whatever he published, whenever he published it” was there Saturday with her daughter, Melinda Ackerman, of Beaufort.
Simmons said the author and his books had “meant a lot” to her, particularly during some of the more difficult times of her life.
“I thought I was the only one who had had pain in their life,” she said, laughing.
Simmons said Conroy would never be forgotten.
“He’ll always be here with us,” she said. “Every time you see a winding river or Spanish moss blowing on the breeze, you’ll think of him.”
He’ll always be here with us. Every time you see a winding river or Spanish moss blowing on the breeze, you’ll think of him.
Sandra Simmons
Seabrook
Remembering Pat Conroy — 1945-2016
Beaufort's prince, Pat Conroy, goes home ☙ Conroy's wife organizes memorial event at Waterfront Park ☙ Pat Conroy’s last days ☙ State of Surprise: Pat Conroy’s love letter to South Carolina ☙ Pat Conroy literary festival dates set ☙ Pat Conroy in his high school years in Beaufort: A tribute from principal Bill Dufford ☙ In his honor, Conroy’s ‘losing season’ teammates revisit the moment at The Citadel ☙ Cartoonist Robert Ariail's tribute to Conroy ☙ Pat Conroy mourned by dignitaries, cadets and friends with ‘personal grief’ ☙ Ervena Faulkner: A meal to mourn Pat Conroy ☙ SC lawmakers honor Conroy following funeral ☙ Kathleen Parker: Conroy’s writing made him the sexiest man alive ☙ Lauderdale: I could hear an ‘amen’ at Pat Conroy’s funeral ☙ Why graduates of The Citadel, class of 2001, united to attend Conroy funeral ☙ Hundreds pay respects to Pat Conroy, family in Beaufort ☙ How 10 minutes with Pat Conroy changed my life ☙ Lauderdale: Pat Conroy expects all the shrimp in Beaufort to be pickled for his funeral (+recipe!) ☙ Op-ed: 'Let something legendary' come from Pat Conroy ☙ Keyserling: Pat Conroy bonded with other 'orphans' who landed in Beaufort ☙ Real people inspired characters in Conroy's books ☙ Lowcountry remembers Pat Conroy ☙ How Pat Conroy made Beaufort a destination ☙ Pat Conroy on the silver screen ☙ Model for 'Prince of Tides' tiger lived in Columbia ☙ Photos: Pat Conroy and Beaufort ☙ Books written by Pat Conroy ☙ Quotes from Pat Conroy's works
Stories from Conroy's friends and admirers: Conroy's closest friends: Grateful now for last year's celebration of author's life ☙ Close encounters with Pat Conroy ☙ Lowcountry remembers Pat Conroy ☙ Sallie Ann Robinson recalls press tour with Pat Conroy ☙ Great Santini tells principal 'my son (Pat Conroy) will not be a secretary' ☙ Retired book seller: Decades after Daufuskie, Pat Conroy 'knew every (student's) name' ☙ Conroy book buffs: When you read his books, 'you are there'
Mindy Lucas: 843-706-8152, @MindyatIPBG
This story was originally published May 14, 2016 at 8:18 PM with the headline "Pat Conroy memorial an ‘outpouring of love’ in Beaufort."