Hudson – Herbert “Skip” Raymond Conrad, 83, a long-time resident of Hudson, died peacefully Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018 at his home. He was a beloved husband of 63 years to Shirley Irene (Williams) Conrad, who passed Dec 5, 2013.
“Skip” was the second son, born to Herbert Oscar Conrad and Bessie Madeline (Hadley) Conrad July 17, 1934 in Hamilton. He is survived by three brothers, Eugene, William, and Ralph, and also two sisters, Shirley and Norma.
Most knew him as “Skip” Conrad, a respected Rotarian for his community involvement at functions and fundraisers. Skip could be seen each year selling ducks for donations to local charities in the community along with helping with numerous other fundraising events. Skip’s presence and contributions will be remembered in the community and felt at future Rotary meetings, functions and fundraisers for many years to come.
After attending high school, he served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War, and after serving his country he then graduated East cCast Aero Technical School located in Bedford at Hanscom AFB, attaining his Airframe & Powerplant Technician’s license. He then worked as an aircraft mechanic for some time until deciding to pursue a career in carpentry and eventually becoming a construction superintendent for R.W. Grainger & Sons which he continued for the remainder of his career until he retired.
Skip enjoyed building model airplanes, various woodworking projects and was undeniably a skilled master craftsman driven to excellence.
He lived a full measure of life having a long and loving marriage to Shirley Irene, and he is survived by his two sons, Michael R. Conrad of Clearwater, Fla. and his wife Deborah, (Pepper) and Mark E. Conrad of Hudson, and by his two daughters, Judith A. Panzera and her husband Michael of Hudson and Pamela J. Conrad of Gloucester. He also is survived by his eight grandchildren, along with his 11 great-grandchildren.
A funeral service and celebration of Skip’s life will be held Thursday, Feb. 8, at 10 a.m., in the First Federated Church, 200 Central St., Hudson. Burial services will be held privately at Dolliver’s Cemetery in Gloucester. Family and friends may attend calling hours Wednesday, Feb. 7, from 4-7 p.m., at the Tighe Hamilton Funeral Home, Inc., 50 Central St., Hudson (www.tighehamilton.com).
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Skip may be made to the following charities: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168, 1-800-525-4669, www.dana-farber.org or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, 1-800-822-6344, www.stjude.org.
