Posted on 12/18/2017
Peter Corteau Conrad (June 12, 1929 - December 10, 2017)
Peter Corteau Conrad died on December 10, 2017 in Leonardtown, Maryland. He was 88 years old. He was predeceased by his dear wife Judith Coville Conrad, who passed on March 6, 2014, their 60th wedding anniversary.
Pete is survived by brother Charles C. Conrad and by three children and their spouses, Emilie C. Griffin (Frank), Paul F. Conrad (Theresa) and Kathleen C. Spooner (Tom); and by six grandchildren and two grandsons in-law, Casey and Erin Griffin, Tory (Carl Bauer), Christina (Francis Czerner), Allie and Phoebe Conrad.
Pete was born on June 12, 1929 to Charles and Julia Conrad of Arlington, Virginia where he grew up. He graduated from Western High School in Washington, DC and attended Bullis Preparatory School prior to entering the United States Naval Academy, from which he graduated in 1953.
His Naval career spanned 37 years from plebe year at the Academy to retirement as a Rear Admiral in 1986. Navy assignments included three submarines, three surface ships, two aircraft carriers as flagships and numerous staff and operations postings. He was commanding officer of the diesel electric submarine USS Gudgeon (SS 567), destroyer escort USS Robert L. Wilson (DDE 847), Pearl Harbor Naval Station and Cruiser-Destroyer Group TWELVE. His final posting was Deputy Comptroller of the Navy.
After retiring from the Navy, Pete spent ten years as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Navy Mutual Aid Association. He fully retired in 1996. Pete stayed connected with the Navy serving on the board of directors for the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society and chairing its Finance Committee from 1987 to 2007 and serving on the Finance Committee until his death. He became a Trustee with the United States Naval Academy Foundation Athletic and Scholarship Program in 1988 and chaired many of its committees over the years, working closely with the Foundation Chairmen to help make the program what it is today.
In 1996 Pete and Judy moved full time to their home on the Potomac River in Leonardtown, MD. Judy had found the rough hewn property more than 10 years earlier and over a decade they (mostly Judy) made changes, achieving a serene and beautiful home for their retirement.
They were active in Leonardtown and St. Mary’s County communities, Judy with the North End Gallery and Pete with Our Lady’s Church, his golfing buddies and with his brother Charles supporting their nephews Peter and Gerald Byrne’s vision of starting and developing what is now a thriving wine grape vineyard at the family farm in Charlotte Hall, MD. Growing wine grapes led to Pete being a founding member of the St. Mary’s County Wine Growers Cooperative and being instrumental in establishing the Port of Leonardtown Winery.
Pete’s activities lessened during the last two year’s of Judy’s life, when he took on the role of caregiver. As Judy’s health faded, Pete learned to cook and perform other domestic chores (theretofore unimagined by him) all at Judy’s direction and much needed careful supervision. He was dedicated to her during this time and described it as the best years of his life.
He reengaged with the community after Judy’s passing renewing friendships and activities until his own health challenges slowed him down. At this point, his friends and community returned his love and generosity by providing fellowship and assistance during his time in need. His children and grandchildren, who live in Massachusetts, California and Oregon, greatly appreciate the support provided by Pete’s nearby family, friends and community. They took comfort in knowing that their father, while being far away, was far from alone. This help enabled Peter to live out his days at home on the Potomac as he wanted.
Pete and Judy had a broad network of friends spanning their decades in the Navy and their adopted community in retirement. Pete was keenly and genuinely interested in people and developed true and lasting friendships throughout his life. He made a point to stay in contact with family and friends, keeping up a busy regime of activities, phone calls, emails, cards and letters. His many friends describe him as a mentor, leader, patriot and a loyal and dedicated friend.
Pete was a devout Catholic with a deep and abiding faith in God. He took great strength over the years from his faith and involvement with the Church and Catholic community. He was supportive and generous to friends, the Catholic church, the Naval Academy and charities that served those most in need.
He will be missed by all those he touched in life and especially by his family for being a dedicated husband and father, a good friend, a genuine person and a generous man with a playful sense of humor and clever wit.
A Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 20, 2018 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 22800 Washington Street, Leonardtown, MD 20650. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be held on Monday, January 22, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady’s Catholic Cemetery, 41348 Medley’s Neck Road, Leonardtown, MD.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of St. Mary’s, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650.
Condolences to the family may be made at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com.
Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A.
Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A.
30195 Three Notch Rd
P.O. Box 128
Charlotte Hall, MD 20622
301-472-4400
Email to: bfhch@brinsfieldfuneral.com
http://www.brinsfieldfuneral.com/sitemaker/sites/Brinsf1/obit.cgi?user=90658144_PConrad