Michael Robert Conibear

Michael Robert Conibear (June 9th, 1958- July 26th, 2024) was an affectionate, dedicated, and hardworking individual who always put the needs of others above his own. He was born in Detroit, Michigan, and moved to Bowling Green, Ohio, where he attended high school.  

Michael graduated from Bowling Green High School in 1976 as an avid basketball and hockey player. His proudest accomplishment from that era was claiming a world record for the longest continuous pick-up basketball game. Michael and nine friends played 50 hours straight at Bowling Green City Park to accomplish this feat. As a proud alumnus of Western Michigan University and a member of the basketball team, his love for the game was only rivaled by his love for his children, old-school music, and his beloved University of Michigan Wolverines. Michael enjoyed taking his boat out on Lake Erie, golfing, and rooting for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Lions. 

To begin his career in 1986, Michael worked for four years at a Boys and Girls Club in Valparaiso, Indiana. Before the position in Oberlin, Ohio, opened, he relocated to the Toledo area for nine years where he began his family. Later, Michael founded the Boys and Girls Club of Lorain County in 1999. He converted a small space in Oberlin, where they began serving a dozen children. Over the years this developed into the county’s eventual 19 club sites serving over 1200 children a day. Throughout his almost 40 years of service, it brought Michael great joy to serve the community's youth and provide a significant impact on their futures. In 2021, Michael was inducted into the Boys and Girls Clubs Ohio Area Council Hall of Fame. 

To his three children, he was more than a father, he was their hero and rock. His impact reaches far beyond his family. Michael has touched the lives of countless individuals throughout his career at the Boys and Girls Clubs. His legacy will forever remain in the hearts of those he has inspired. His children are beyond proud of who their father was, his ability to never judge a book by its cover, and to give to those who need it most. The most important lesson of all: is to lead with gracious positivity and to love all people from all walks of life.

Michael’s legacy will be carried on by his children: Gavin Conibear (Keely Hall), Gretchen Conibear, and Gwyneth Conibear. Bonus son; Thomas Wimbush (Nicole Uccello). Granddaughter; Brynn Conibear. He is survived by his father, Robert Conibear; stepmother, Judy Conibear; and sister, Connie Conibear (Lance Warley). He was preceded in death by his mother, Maxine Conibear. 

Services to honor Michael Conibear will be held at 3 p.m. on Aug. 8 at Faith Ministries Christian Center, 1306 Euclid Ave., Lorain. Calling hours start at 2 p.m. Following the service, a celebration of life will be held at the Lorain Shipyards restaurant at 500 Shipyard Way, Lorain. We invite all to join and share memories of Michael at the celebration of life service. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Mike Conibear Scholarship Fund through the Boys and Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio. All donations should be made out specifically to the Mike Conibear Scholarship Foundation at 4111 Pearl Ave, Lorain, Ohio. 

The link to donate to Michael’s scholarship fund is: 

https://donate.clevekids.org/campaign/606127/donate