We said good-bye to our dad, David William Conrad, on Wednesday, May 25, 2022 at the age of 86. His oft-repeated jokes, his teasing, and his eccentric nicknames for friends and family are quiet now, but they will never be forgotten. He joins his wife, Marj, in a place where there are no more tears. He never stopped missing her.
Dave is survived by his children Sandy (Ian Burbidge) of Paisley, John (Martha Rutherford Conrad) of Edmonton, Dan Conrad of Owen Sound, his much-cherished grandchildren Aidan, Morgan, Harriet, Grace, and his brothers Lester (Clarona), and Murray.
Dave was predeceased by his sisters Gloria and June and his sister-in-law Cynthia (Murray). He will be missed by many nephews and nieces, sisters and brothers-in-law. They all have their “Dave” stories, good memories of times together and the big grin and “come on in” he had for everyone.
Dave was born in Elmira, Ontario to Clement and Alice Conrad in 1935. In recent years, he loved to go for a drive and talk about his childhood in Woolwich Township, of the trap lines he and his 4 siblings checked on the way home from school, hoping for a payoff of a nickel or two, the local house parties, the way guitars and fiddles appeared in the kitchen and an impromptu band would play for hours, how his sisters danced. Dave could play anything on the guitar, favouring Hanks (Snow and Williams!) but he steadfastly refused to learn his wife’s favourite song “The Black Sheep”. It became his standard shout-out “request” when his jazz musician son-in-law performed anywhere. For Dave, a good joke was well worth repeating!
Dave joined the Navy in 1956 and travelled around the world, making friends and seeing the world, but a life of exotic ports and constant change was never his dream. He loved the land and he loved to make things grow, and when he met Marjorie, he knew that he had found a place for his heart to settle. He would have all the adventure and fun he wanted with the partner he most needed in life. They were married in 1959, and 61 years later they were still in love, still talking through life’s mysteries, planting gardens, and keeping an eye out for the next great racehorse.
Dave worked hard, but it was never enough to have just one job. He was employed by Naugatuck, now Uniroyal, in Elmira. As much as he knew and understood about chemicals, it was never quite as interesting as the friendships he made with his co-workers, friendships that have lasted to the very end of his life.
Working all day at the chemical plant was supplemented by more work when he got home. Crops needed tending, horses needed training, and both Dave and Marj spent many evenings hauling racehorses to Woodbine, Hanover and Flamboro. They were owners, trainers, and avid race enthusiasts, loving both the excitement and the camaraderie of horse barns and the people they would meet along the way.
In the end, it was always family and friends for dad. He spoke so often of the people he had known and loved in his life, and we, his children, realize that dad was always a keen observer of human nature and a collector of stories. Dad showed us that the community of love he held in his heart was far more important to him than luxury items or expensive trips. We hope that he will meet all his beloved people again. We hope that celebrations begin on the other side of life’s last breath, and we hope that there will be a great and joyful “welcome home Dave” as the guitars and fiddles come out, for the party that will never have to end.
Visitation was held at the Eaton Funeral Home, Listowel on Friday, May 27th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. where the funeral service was held on Saturday, May 28th at 11:00 a.m. Rev. Ralph Dwarika officiated. The service was live streamed, and the link available is available on the funeral home website. Reception followed at the Listowel Legion. Interment was in Bethesda Cemetery, Moorefield.
Memorial donations to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Listowel would be appreciated.
Online condolences may be left at www.eatonfuneralhome.ca
