Paul LaVerne Conrad

Paul LaVerne Conrad passed away on January 10th, 2021 at the age of 84. Paul was born on August 30th, 1936 in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. He put himself through college doing many jobs, including driving a truck for Coca-Cola. He attended Manchester College in Indiana, where he studied music. It was there he spied his wife for the first time, walking across the quad in a pair of nice fitting red pants. Paul married Carol Stanley on 7/22/62, his wife’s birthday, stating that it would be easier to remember one date but there would be hell to pay if he forgot it. After graduating from college, he taught several years as a music teacher/band director. He was an accomplished baritone player, an instrument he started playing in high school because the school had one he could use, as his family could not afford to buy him an instrument. His son Mark got his musical talent from Paul who steered him to play the trombone (which he continues to play to this day, and is in several working jazz bands). Deciding teaching was not for him (he loved the kids but disliked the drama from parents), he interviewed for and accepted a job with Pfizer Pharmaceuticals. He retired from Pfizer after 30 years, keeping his family stocked with pens for the rest of their lives. Paul took his family to all 48 contiguous states, camping in a pop-up camper. He then took Carol to both Hawaii and Alaska. Paul helped restore two vehicles, built two replicas of the Greek Parthenon, and was a whiz on the sewing machine. Paul was a loving husband to Carol, who was handicapped for much of their marriage. He took excellent care of her, building her their dream home in the woods and a RV equipped with a lift so they could travel together. They loved the Great Smoky Mountains and visiting their son, Mark, in New York. Paul enjoyed living half of the year in Florida, where his home sat on a golf course that he could play every day if he wanted. When asked if that ever got boring, he would reply that the ball never went to the same place twice. When in Cincinnati, he filled his time attending his grandchildren’s many activities and gathering with his coffee buddies every morning (just black coffee please, none of that trendy stuff). Paul's grandchildren loved going to his house and snacking on pretzels that he would leave out for them in a special basket. Paul was a lover of mandarin crepes, Matlock and crossword puzzles. His baked beans were legendary and expected at family gatherings (his secret? An entire box of brown sugar). He will leave a void in many lives. He will be missed. Paul is preceded in death by his wife Carol and his brother Duane. He is survived by his three children, Mark, Scott (Jennie) and Lori Gibbs. He also left behind 8 grandchildren whom he adored: Ryan, Randall, Isaac, Nate, Samantha, Eleanor, Beckett and Vivien. He will be missed by his sisters Virginia Marshall (Lloyd), Janet Spitler (Butch) and his sister-in-law Barbara Grenat (Steve). He was Uncle Paul to many nieces and nephews. Due to the current state of our world, the grave side service will be for family only. Paul will be buried next to his wife at Teegarden Congregational Christian Church Cemetery in Ansonia, Ohio, on Monday, January 18, 2021, at 1PM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either Hospice of Cincinnati or the Make-a-Wish foundation.