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Obituary For Colin H Conrad
December 21, 1946 – June 19, 2024
It is with both profound sadness at the loss of our beloved husband and father, yet also with immense gratitude and joy at our great fortune of experiencing life with this amazing and wonderful man, that we announce the passing of Colin H. Conrad, on June 19, 2024, at the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital. After a years-long battle with multiple health issues, Colin’s health deteriorated quickly and significantly this spring resulting in his admittance to the hospital. Putting on a brave face and stoically fighting to the very end, Colin was called home by our Heavenly Father, with his loving wife, Vivian, by his side. He was 77 years old.
Colin was born on the 21st of December 1946, at “Johanna’s” (Johanna Haakstad Maternity Home) in smith, AB. He was the eldest of five children born to Jack and Jean (Farmer) Conrad. Colin enjoyed a typical farm-life childhood helping his dad with the farming when he was old enough, doing various chores, raising cows for 4-H, all while doing very well in school.
Shortly after high school graduation in 1965, Colin began working for AGT/TELUS, thus starting an illustrious 37 year-long career, which saw him begin as a cable splicer, work his way up to management, then return to cable (now fibre optic) splicing, the job he loved the most. It was at AGT where he met a lovely young operator named Vivian LaBossiere, who would soon become his bride in 1970. A few years later came the start of the ‘Colin Conrad Clan’ with the addition of the “wee bairns”, as Colin’s Scottish mother called them, of Lynelle, Deanna and Christopher.
Over the years, Colin worked hard to provide the best possible life for his family and made sure that they experienced many interesting adventures and learning experiences, including a two-month long motorhome trip across Canada and the northern United States. Though he spent most of his time helping others, he did make sure to accomplish one of his lifelong dreams, which was to obtain his private pilot’s license. This was truly a proud and rewarding moment for him! Another example of his thoughtful and kind nature was when he secretly spent months learning to play the bagpipes for his Scottish mother, surprising her on Mother’s Day with perfect renditions of “Scotland The Brave” and “Amazing Grace”, much to her astonishment and delight.
After Colin retired in 2002, when he wasn’t tinkering in his garage, doing a crossword puzzle, golfing, or fishing with his lifelong friends, Jim and Dave Robertson, you might find him being “The Neighbourhood Watch” from his favourite spot on the sofa. Not satisfied with sitting all day, he followed in Lynelle and Vivian’s footsteps and began working at Weyerhaeuser Pulp & Paper Mill during their annual shutdowns. Due to his exceptional work ethic, resourcefulness, and ‘get ‘er done’ attitude, it was no surprise that he was asked to work year-round at the mill with Cobra/Clearstream, resulting in his “second” career of 12 years.
As if he wasn’t busy enough, he was also a member of the Grande Prairie & District Oldtimers Association, serving three years as vice-president and six years as president. He was also a member of the Kleskun Hill Museum Society, and loved to help when he could with the maintenance of the buildings.
Colin was a man known for his quiet demeanour, reliability, integrity, and generous heart. Colin was happy to make your acquaintance, with a smile on his face and a firm handshake. He made a positive, lasting impression on those he met, and with those fortunate to have worked with him.
Colin is survived by his wife of nearly 54 years, Vivian; daughters Lynelle (Jason) Orrock of Grande Prairie, Deanna (Greg) Stearns of Spruce Grove, and son, Christopher (Nicolle) Conrad of Brisbane, AUS; as well as cherished grandchildren, Aidan and Maren Stearns of Spruce Grove. He is also survived by brother, Calvin (Donna) Conrad, sisters Anne (Gordon) Symborski, and Holly (Dan) Guay; sisters-in-law, Claudette McGee, Marcelle Labrecque, brother-in-law, Dan LaBossiere (Kim); and uncle Patrick (Patricia) Conrad, in addition to numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and very special friends, the Robertson families.
Colin was pre-deceased by his parents, Jack and Jean, and infant brother, Neil; his grandparents, Harlie and Florence Conrad and Alexander and Annie Farmer; father and mother-in-law, Augustin and Luzina LaBossiere; sisters-in-law, Elaine Murray and Leda Matheson; brothers-in-law, Don and Michel LaBossiere; as well as many beloved aunts and uncles.
We would like to thank Dr. Richard Martin, Dr. Rebecca Sherk, and nurse, Sheila Leaf, for the many years of care given to Colin, as well as all the nursing staff in Unit 23 of the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital. You are all angels!
Please join us for a Funeral Mass at St. Joseph Catholic Church, located at 10404-102 Street in Grande Prairie, AB, on Saturday, July 20th, 2024, at 12 noon. Immediately following will be a reception in the Church Hall, during which time you’ll be invited to share your stories and memories with us all and celebrate the amazing person that was Colin Conrad!
Donations may be made to a charity of one’s choice.
Care entrusted to Bear Creek Funeral Home bcfh.ca 780 830-7742
Services
20
Jul
Service
12:00 PM
St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church 10404 102 St Grande Prairie, AB T8V 2W3
21/12/1946 19/06/2024
Death notice for the town of: Grande-Prairie, Province: Alberta
death notice Colin H Conrad 21/12/1946 19/06/2024
obituaries notice Colin H Conrad 21/12/1946 19/06/2024
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Colin H Conrad 21/12/1946 19/06/2024 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
