Dr. James Conrad Jr.

Dr. James L. Conrad, Jr., 83

Dudley - Dr. James L. Conrad, Jr., of Auburn, MA and formerly of Dudley, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 20th 2016.

He leaves two sons, Dr. Michael J. Conrad, Sr. and his wife Virginia K. Conrad of Lumberton, NJ and Jeffrey L. Conrad and his wife Maryann Conrad of Worcester; and five beloved grandchildren, Michael J. Conrad, Jr. and his wife Kristen of New York, NY, Sarah E. Rodriguez and her husband Ronald Rodriguez of Front Royal, VA, Courtney N. Carr and her husband Michael Carr of Holden, Caroline K. Conrad of Boston, and Kimberly C. Conrad of Worcester. Before his passing he was also proud to have become a great-grandfather for the first time on August 18th, with the birth of Amelia C. Carr. He was pre-deceased by his dear wife of 59 years, Benita "Bunny" Conrad, who passed away in August, 2013.

He was born in Worcester in 1932, the son of Colonel James L. Conrad, Sr. and Annette (Bolduc) Conrad, and lived on Dudley Hill for most of his life. He graduated high school from the New Hampton Preparatory School, received a baccalaureate degree from Dartmouth College, a Master's degree from Clark University and a Ph.D. in history from the University of Connecticut. Jim served his country proudly for several years in the United States Army as a corporal in the Counter Intelligence Corp. in Baltimore, MD.

Jim had an almost 45 year career at Nichols College in Dudley, where in addition to his duties as a professor of history, he served many positions at various times, including Director of Admissions, Dean of Faculty, and Vice President for External Academic Affairs. He also served honorably on both the college's Board of Advisors and on the Board of Trustees. In 2000, he was bestowed an honorary Doctor of Humanities by the school.

A noted historian and academic author, Jim published many books, articles and periodicals, and was considered one of the leading authorities on the early American industrial revolution. Upon his retirement from Nichols, Jim published a two-volume account of the school's history in celebration of the Nichols College bicentennial titled "Nichols Academy: The Spring on the Hill, 1815-1931," and "Nichols: A College for the Hill, 1931-1996". In September 2014 he proudly received the Nichols Bicentennial Medal. Jim's career followed admirably in the footsteps of his father, Colonel James L. Conrad Sr., who founded the school as a two-year college in 1931, and served as its president until 1966.

Amongst his many awards and accomplishments, he was a past member of the Webster Rotary Club, the Webster Jaycees, the Rhode Island Historical Society, the Dartmouth Club of Worcester, the Black Tavern Historical Society and a member of the Board of Overseers at Old Sturbridge Village.

Throughout his lifetime of achievements, however, Jim was first and foremost a quiet, kind and devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend, and will be sorely missed by his family and all who had the honor to have known him. The family would like to thank the Rose Monahan Home in Worcester for their care and compassion during "Papa's" last days with us.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, August 24th, at Saint Anthony of Padua Church, 24 Dudley Hill Rd., Dudley (please meet at church). Burial will be in Saint Anthony's Cemetery, Webster. Donations in his name may be made to the Col. James L. Conrad Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Nichols College, 124 Center Rd., Dudley, MA 01571. Arrangements are under the direction of Scanlon Funeral Service, 38 East Main St., Webster, MA.

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