Conrad J. Bletzer

BLETZER, Honorable Conrad J. "Connie," as he was known to his friends, passed away peacefully, Sunday the 29th of December, surrounded by his wife and family at his home in Plymouth. He was 90. Connie was born and raised in Brighton, at the height of the Great Depression. His father died when he was just a teenager. The oldest of four sons, he worked nights in the layout room of the Boston Globe to help support his family. He finished first in his class at Saint Columbkille's high school and went on to finish at the top of his class at Boston College. His schooling was interrupted by the Korean War. He served overseas in the United States Army. When he returned home, he attended Boston College Law school where he again finished first in his class as class president. After serving in the Korean War, he married Paula Smith, also of Brighton, in 1955. Connie was a true family man. He loved his brothers, his children, his grandchildren, his great-grandchildren, and most importantly, his beloved wife, Paula. Connie is survived by his wife Paula and his six children: Conrad, Jr. (Medfield, MA) and his wife Barbara, Charlie (Plymouth, MA) and his wife Lisa, Curt (Boston, MA) and his wife Kimberly, James (Minneapolis, MN) and his fiancée Kelly, Paula Taylor (Concord, NH) and her husband Ryan, and son Christopher (Brooklyn, NY) and his partner Jordan, and daughter-in-law Kimberly (Simsbury, CT). Connie also leaves behind 15 grandchildren, Conrad J., III, Christine, Matthew, Jacqueline, Alexandra, Isabella, Caleigh, Kevin, Curt, Ashley, Alyson, Abigail, Sarah, Maggie, Kiley and five great-grandchildren, Natalie, Skylar, Conrad J., IV, Hadley & Ezekiel. Connie is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and his brother Carl. Connie was predeceased by his parents, Conrad & Irene, and his brothers Paul & Robert. Connie founded the law firm Bletzer & Bletzer, PC on Market Street in Brighton in 1959. His two sons, Conrad and Curt would later join the firm. Connie was so proud to be working with his two sons. In 1990, he was appointed the Presiding Justice of the Newton District Court by then Governor Michael S. Dukakis. Connie believed that it was his obligation to help the people of the communities that he served. He always found a way to do what was right for the people in his Court. He made a true difference in the lives of so many people. He also served as a mentor to many other judges. He was truly loved by the people of Allston, Brighton and Newton. A lifelong sports fan, Connie was an avid supporter of his beloved BC Eagles. Connie was the founder of Allston Brighton Youth Hockey, where he served as commissioner, coach & referee. Connie won numerous local civic awards for his tireless work in the community and was an active member of the Brighton Board of Trade, The Gridiron Club of Greater Boston, and the Knights of Columbus. He was an active supporter of Saint Columbkille's Church and School as well as many other local charitable organizations. A Visitation will be held at St. Columbkille's Church on Market Street in Brighton on Friday the 3rd of January from 3-7pm. A Funeral Mass will follow on Saturday, January 4th at St. Columbkille's Church at 10:30am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in honor of Conrad J. Bletzer to St. Columbkille Partnership School, 25 Arlington St., Brighton, MA 02135, Attn: Kate Ward, Director of Advancement. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.lehmanreen.com Lehman Reen McNamara Brighton 617 782 1000