Conrad Albert “Al” J. Conrad, Sr. of Lester, PA, age 83, on April 30, 2017, husband of Elizabeth “Betty” (nee Horgan), father of Albert “Al” J. Conrad, Jr. (Colleen), Denis J. Conrad (Lena), grandfather of Jennifer, Michelle Doyle (Mike), Stephanie, Albert J. Conrad, III (Brittany),Colleen, Anna, & Victoria, great grandfather of Makayla and Malik Conrad,Continue Reading
I am sorry for your loss. Working with Al for 17 years was not always easy, but I learned quite a bit. Remember: What we keep in memories is ours unchanged forever.
When I was a little boy of four, we lost our Nanna. Mom told me I asked her where she was. Mom told me she responded "The happy part of her was now with God in Heaven, and the sleepy part was here to rest". Solace to a four year old, an integral stepping stone to a life lesson in the future.
You never think it will happen, a parent lost. And, a seemingly impenetrable iron one at that. Not iron, harder. Forged from a metal rare in nature within an illusive hidden foundry... Always steadfast and sure, resilient against obstacles. Even after being buried alive when I was a teen, he recovered... bounced back... fought back. From this son's perspective, even as the years advanced, no barrier could withstand him. I was sure he'd always be here... sitting at our kitchen table drinking tea and eating all my cookies... talking about silly nonsense, the past, things serious, about mistakes, forgiveness, the future...
And now, gone. I'm no longer able to ask even the most mundane triviality... Only flooded with images of the past... helping put my kitchen floor back together again at the age of 78, with bad knees, without one complaint... cobbling together a motorcycle from a pile of junk parts... pounding kingpins into my first car, an old Postal Jeep, complete with colorful language... building a car together and winning the Soap Box Derby in Boy Scouts... being on the sidelines as my brother and I marched in band competitions... sitting on his lap and not liking his smoking... setting up the trains for Christmas... finding out by sneaking down the steps he and Mom were Santa Claus...
Thanks Dad, for the memories... for all the moments you gave me I can't again experience. For making me the person I am, the Dad I am. I would give all of them up for one more chance to tell you I love you, and to thank you for all you did, all you sacrificed, the long hours you worked so we could have, so I could inevitably become the person I am today...
I miss you terribly...
So, after a valiant struggle against incredible odds, Dad now rests. I try to take comfort in knowing you no longer has to do battle with the odds you were fighting against, and fiercely I might add. You now can rest, so that the happy part can be in the comfort of the Lord.
And thus, mounted on Heavenly Harley Davidson he sets off on a wild ride to the next step... the ultimate road trip... from from this world into the next.
You will not be forgotten.
Uncle Al I will miss you so much. I love you with all my heart. Keep my seat in heaven warm!
Love you forever,
Patt
Sending our sincere condolences to the family.