Thomas William Conrad

Tom Conrad

(1943-2015)

Thomas William Conrad, 71, of Pensacola, passed away peacefully at his daughter's house in Fort Myers, on Tuesday, January 27, 2015, after a courageous 4 year battle with cancer.

Tom was born on August 27, 1943 in Chicago, IL, and lovingly adopted by Willard and Mary Conrad, both of whom preceded him in death. He is a 1961 graduate of R.J. Reynolds High School in Winston-Salem, NC. He continued his education at Georgia Tech and Spring Hill College, graduating in 1965 with a Bachelor of Science in Commerce degree. Tom served over 3 years in the US Navy, including serving on the destroyer, the USS Massey. He then had a long, fulfilling career of 24 years with IBM, followed by a self-taught, very successful stained glass business. Many of his stained glass works can be found in and around the Charlotte, NC area.

Later in life, Tom was an avid boater and enjoyed being at the helm of his beloved "True North" and cruising all around the Eastern U.S. He dedicated himself to helping fellow boaters in the America's Great Loop Cruisers' Association since 2002, including providing daily advice on the weather conditions for boaters crossing the Gulf of Mexico.

Tom is survived by his wife and his True North, Patsy; daughter, Lynn (Sunil) Malkani of Fort Myers; daughter, Karen (Tristan) Barber of Wesley Chapel, NC; stepdaughter, Amy (Kenny) Lowrance of Shallotte, NC; sister, Joan Williams of Michigan; 98 year old aunt, Alyce Barrett of Colorado Springs, CO; grandsons, Jake, Ryan, Wesley, and Andrew; granddaughter, Chloe; many nieces and nephews; and numerous loyal friends. Tom is also survived by his birth mother whom he recently found and with whom he nurtured a loving relationship.

Burial was held at Forest Lawn East Cemetery in Weddington, NC. A memorial service will be held on Friday, February 6, 2015, at Christ Church Episcopal in Pensacola (11am). Memorial donations may be made to Christ Church Episcopal at 18 West Wright Street; Pensacola, FL 32501.

Online guestbook is available at www.heritagecares.com

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