Starbucks store manager in Philadelphia is killed in vicious subway attack

Sean Patrick Conroy, 36, died of an "asthma attack brought on by blunt force trauma" after being attacked by four teens in a Philadelphia subway -- about a half-block from the Starbucks store that Conroy managed. One of his employees tells Starbucks Gossip that the recently engaged Conroy "was an amazing, caring, dedicated person who simply lit up my day." (Read the Philadelphia Inquirer story | Read the Daily News story)

Comments

[Matthew]

This country is going right down the toilet :(

Ohh what a horrible story...My prayers go out to his family, friends, and fellow partners.

[INsidethamallbux]

Light a Candle
by Paul Alexander

And I will light a candle for you.
To shatter all the darkness and bless the times we knew.
Like a beacon in the night
The flame will burn bright and guide us on our way.
Oh, today I light a candle for you.

[lux]

That's so sad. Keeping a good thought for his family & friends.

[DallasSM]

My condolences to his friends and family.

[Peaches]

This is affecting my district right now. We're all sad.

[coffee_master]

=( this is super sad. prayers to his family, friends and partner.

[Vicki Verona]

Howard talked about this at the open forum I attended today in San Francisco.

Really brought gasps and awws from 600+ people that attended. So tragic and Howard was visibly saddened and upset.

[Jim Lane]

Not going, Matthew, well down the toilet.

Candles and good wishes for his family.

jim

[Darleen]

As with so many other posters, my heart goes out to this mans family and friends, what a tragedy.

[j d]

Hopefully these feral beasts will get the death penalty!

Sean was an amazing person who will be greatly missed in our region. I knew him and he was a very kning hearted man with a big heart. He was looking forward to being married to a great girl. My thoughts and pryers go out to his fiancee, parents and family as well as his partner.
I must say it's been amazing to see DMs, RMs and Zone VPs to react to this situation by providing emotional support to all partners in the Philly area.

[portia]

This is so sad. I'm with you JD, i hope these 4 animals are caught and rot in hell.

Sean hired me and trained me and we worked together for about a year. He was always so upbeat and always sincerely cared about what was going on in my life. Even after he transferred he still came back around to say hello and visit with us. He was the most non-confrontational and good natured person and I keep going back to "why him"? But I guess you can't do that to yourself. His girlfriend was a good friend of mine and they were going to be married in a few months. This city is becoming so scary, mainly the youth of the city... I take the subway everyday and now I fear the brutality of these youngsters! I quit just a week ago and when I went back to my old store to speak with my old co-workers and regular customers, there was an abundance of support coming from the community and the people at Starbucks. This is truly a sad thing to happen.

I heard about this on the news ( i live in a Philly suburb ) but I had no idea that he was with Starbucks. I am so sorry to hear this. To anyone personally affected I offer my condolences.

[atownsbuxrules]

Sorry to hear it. :( My prayers go out to his family and friends.

[SoyBeanGirl]

*raises her coffee mug*
*takes off her hat*

*pours some out for Sean and his family*

[TORONTOWYLD]

Senseless.

[RainGrlBarista]

My most sincere condolences and deepest sympathies go out to his family,friends, loved ones and all the Philly area partners. It is truly sad to see and hear about a really good person be taken away so soon & suddenly. I hope that justice will prevail in catching & convicting the evil derelicts involved in this crime.

[John Miller]

What a sad day for all of Philly. To my friend, my brother, I will miss you always and forever. I pray for all of those who knew this outstanding man and hope those responsible are brought to justice. A great man has been lost.
Be at peace Sean and know that those you knew will never forget you, you touched many lives.

[Peter]

Very sad.This city is ridiculous
I think I was one of Sean's customer's for a few months
Was he the manager at the GALLERY's Starbucks back in 2006?

[Peter]

Very sad.This city is ridiculous
I think I was one of Sean's customer's for a few months
Was he the manager at the GALLERY's Starbucks back in 2006?

I'm sorry for him and his family. Is there anything being done Starbucks-wide to memorialize him? Something CUP fund related perhaps?

Its things like this that make me LOATHE Kill-a-delphia even more. A bunch of 16 year old brats out to beat up someone to feel better about themselves. Please, pick up guns and go back to killing yourselves and leave these hard working wonderful individuals alone! Philly needs to unite and say they are NOT going to put up with things like this anymore. Drive the trash out of the city, stop letting it ruin wonderful people!

[Tim]

I can't seem to wrap my mind around what happened to Sean. Of course no one deserves such a fate but Sean was the kind of person that wouldn't hurt anyone. He was a good man who touced the lives of many, including myself. He was one of those people that made big differences in the lives of those around him...and he probably never realized this.

He would be the first one in a group to stick his neck out and unite his community around a horrible injustice. I encourage all of you to do the same. Write letters to Philadelphia government and let them know that WE WANT OUR CITY BACK!. We will not be a victim to crime and our cities troubled youth anymore! Do anything to let your voice be known.

My love and best wishes go out to Sean's family, Stephanie and those who ever knew Sean. He will be missed dearly.

Tim,

Did you see that starting Monday the Guardian Angel group is going to be helpin' to patrol the SEPTA lines in Sean's memory. Its a small start, but a start none the less!

Peter, Sean was the SM at the Gallery in 2006. You are very lucky to have met this great man.

[Bob]

I'm sorry if I'm missing in here, but was he killed because he was a Starbucks store manager? No disrespect intended, but I'm not sure I understand the relevance of the story.

[RedBean13]

Bob,
No, this was a random act of violence that four teens thought it would be amusing to beat up on an unassuming Septa commuter. The case is still being investigated.

[RedBean13]

To clarify on my recent post, Sean was a Starbucks store Manager at a nearby store.

[RedBean13]

To all Sean's close family and friends
My sincerest condolences and prayers are with you. Sean's life was unjustly taken too soon but his generous spirit and loving demeanor will never be forgotten.

[Peter]

Thank you for responding to my question,

This is just unbelievable...
I remember there was this crazy person (probably on drugs) that was harassing Sean for 2 days straight at the GALLERY in 2006 and when Sean told a security guard to help him the security guard just ignored him.Sean told me that he was used to nuts because he came from California.
When I saw his picture on the news I thought I was having a nightmare.I still can't believe what happened to him...
I guess Center City is a bigger hell hole than I thought it was (:<)

Just saw another article where two men and a woman walked into a Starbuck's at 8 pm and told all the customers they wanted money (not sure if they robbed the store too). On the way out one of the robbers tripped on a customer and shot the poor guy in the leg. I've often worried about the closers who are frequently a couple of women experiencing this type of situation. Probably too much concern, but maybe Starbuck's should encourage those "freebie" drinks for police at closing time!

[Adrian]

I had the good fortune of meeting Sean last week. To his parents, fiance and friends I offer my sincerest condolences.

Sean made an incredible impression on me while visiting the city of Philadephia.

His life was cut short for no good reason and who is to say when life ends, but Sean definitely demonstrated how to live life in his everyday life serving his clients and friends with enthusiasm, joy and love.

Let his life be a message to a city desperately in need of help and hope.

God bless, may this message touch others lives the way Sean's life touched mine.

[dennis duijnhouwer]

What a tragedy, this is crazy.
I just googled my old friends' name, to see if I could find a mailadress, I felt like checking in with him, only to find out about this.

Sean was my supervisor at work and one of my few real friends in the '90s in LA, he was a total sweetheart, and a unique individual.

I miss you, funny, beautiful man.

[Roxie]

I haven't been on this site in over a year to come back and find that one of my friends has died. He will be missed. I can't imagine a more wonderful man.

[Andrew]

I had the pleasure of meeting Sean two days before this happened. He had come into my store to borrow cups. My manager was one of his best friends and had dropped him off that day. He's been an emotional wreck the past couple weeks. It's been hard for everyone. He will be missed.

[george]

My wife and I used to work at the 10th street laundromat, and do Sean's laundry. He was always so pleasant to us and obviously a hard working, great guy. We woke up to see this news this morning, and it made us both so sad for Sean's family. We are heartbroken and confused about this event that shouldn't have happened.

our deepest condolences

[Victoria Greene]

I am heartbroken about the murder of Sean Conroy, but I do not want anyone to pick up a gun and kill anyone. The attitude of the person who said they should go back to killing each other and leave hard working people alone is why we are in this situation.When, when ,will we understand that we are all human.

[GINA DEMPSEY-UPPER DARBY, PA]

I am a personal friend of Sharon Conroy (Sean's mother)today at the Starbucks Sean worked at they are opening a learning center in his name. I know that it has touched everyone that knew Sean more then you could ever begin to understand. I know that it will not bring Sean back but it will allow his name to live on forever. Thanks Starbucks!!

[Sharon Conroy]

To Our Dearest Starbucks Partners,
Thank you for the love, support & respect that you showered Sean with over the years. He shared many stories with me; know that he loved all of you. The family sincerely appreciates your heartful condolences ,prayers & special rememberances of time spent with Sean, that you've sent our way.
And special THANK YOU to the Starbucks Corporation for the beautiful memorial service held yesterday. The new learning center, Sean's Space, will provide countless educational opportunities for so many deserving people & and the same time carry on Sean's legacy of 2nd chances. You couldn't have chosen a better testament to a life well lived. God Bless you.
Sharon