James Christopher Chris"" Conrad

James Christopher Conrad, loving son of Doctor William Douglas Conrad, Jr. and Jeanne Willsey Conrad of West Hartford, passed away on Sunday (December 5, 2010) at age 37. Chris, as he was known, was born on May 7, 1973, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He grew up in and was a lifelong resident of West Hartford, where he graduated from Kingswood-Oxford School in 1991. He went on to graduate in 1995 from Trinity College with a degree in History. After graduation, Chris worked in the insurance industry in the Hartford area for S.H. Smith, DiscoverRe, and Travelers. Chris had a tremendous heart, generous spirit, and was forever loyal, selfless and kind. He was passionate about music and was an avid fan of the New York Giants, the Boston Red Sox, and the UConn Huskies. Chris had a soft spot for any animal he ever met and they for him. He cared deeply for his friends and family and in particular adored his three-year-old niece, Lila. In addition to his parents, Chris is survived by his sister, Jennifer Conrad Wedeles, her husband, Thomas Kiefer Wedeles and their daughter, Lila Warren Wedeles, all of West Hartford; his brother, Mark Douglas Conrad and his wife, Kimberly Fernandez Conrad of London, England; his maternal grandmother, Joyce Watson Willsey of Wethersfield; his paternal grandfather, William Douglas Conrad, Sr. of Winston-Salem; his aunts and uncles Thomas and Maureen Willsey, Jodie and Richard Heimgartner, John and Laurie Willsey, Ann and Cary Kistner, and Christian and Robin Conrad, as well as many beloved cousins and cherished friends. Chris was dearly loved and will be forever missed by all his friends and family. A memorial service will be held Thursday (December 9) at 11 a.m. at Asylum Hill Congregational Church, 814 Asylum Avenue in Hartford. There are no calling hours and burial is private. The James T. Pratt Funeral Service in Wethersfield is assisting the family. A memorial fund has been established at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving. Donations may be directed to: HFPG, Inc. for the James Christopher Conrad Memorial Fund at 10 Columbus Boulevard, 8th Floor, Hartford, CT 06106. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family, please visit www.desopo.com.