I trust Colin's explanation of the source. It would be awful to have fed a mistake, but wonderful if the news turned out not to be true. People are posting such good comments about Conway that I wouldn't want to bury the thread.
Best case scenario, we change the title to "John Conway has not died" and continue to celebrate him.
I've now had it confirmed in personal correspondence, but before it can be announced officially it needs to go through the Dean's Office, and it's a Holiday Weekend, so that won't be quick.
It's reasonable for people to be sceptical, I don't have a problem with that.
Best case scenario, we change the title to "John Conway has not died" and continue to celebrate him.