Obituary: Richard A. Conrad, 69, of Wallingford

Information and photo via Wallingford Funeral Home

Richard Allen Conrad, 69, of Wallingford, husband of 39 years to Helen (Jordan) Conrad, passed away January 1, 2019 at Hartford Hospital from glioblastoma.

Despite claims that he emerged fully-formed like a Greek deity, Dick, as he liked to be called, was born on December 30, 1949 to the late Robert and Marian (Butler) Conrad, and grew up in Bristol.

Dick’s green thumb was apparent to anyone that would drive by his ever-expanding gardens. Summers would be full of tomatoes, squash, and new strategies to counter the various woodland creatures that viewed his crops as their buffet. He felt similarly passionate about helping young children learn to read.

For the better part of 30 years, he volunteered at schools in New Haven, Wallingford, and Meriden, transforming any free surface in his home into staging areas for the books he would give to his students. When he wasn’t gardening or volunteering, he could be found running, generally on neighborhood roads, but also in several Boston Marathons.

Dick spent over four decades at the New Haven Register, covering beats throughout New Haven, the Freedom of Information Commission, and eventually becoming the IT Renaissance man for the Register’s parent company.

In addition to his wife, Helen, he is survived by his children, Erin, Kelly, and, Sean; his brothers, Robert and David (Mory); as well as numerous cousins, in-laws, nieces, and nephews.

His family will receive relatives and friends in The Wallingford Funeral Home, 809 North Main St., Ext., Wallingford, on Saturday, January 5, 2019 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. followed by a Celebration of Life service in the funeral home. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, the Conrad family requests that donations be made to the Spanish Community of Wallingford (scowinc.org).

For more information and to leave online condolences, visit Wallingford Funeral Home here.