Hurley Lee Conrad

It is with deepest sorrow that we announce the passing of our dear father, Hurley Lee Conrad. Dad took his last breath in the early morning hours of July 3, 2020, surrounded by his daughters Jackie, Margaret and Marlo.

Dad was born February 11, 1919 in East Jordan, NS to his parents Frank and Nora Conrad. At the age of 20, he joined the Canadian Army and went on to fight in The Great War from 1939-1945. Dad went through basic training in Ontario, then on to learn how to drive lorries once he got to England. He lost all his comrades in his troop in one day. Luckily for him, he was not with them that tragic day as his leg was run over by a truck and he was not able to go with them. Dad met many great people of England and Scotland, including the Queen when he had tea at the Windsor Castle, not once, but twice! Once home he struggled to find direction and work for a time. He did not want to become a fisherman as his Mom always told him and his brothers if they went out to sea they would die there, so he did not. He found work with the telephone company putting in poles and before long he was running the crew of men and driving the boss around in his truck. One rainy day the boss asked Dad to go into town with him to the movies. Dad went along but had no intention on seeing a movie. He took the opportunity to seek something better for himself. That day in the unemployment office he found a job on the west coast of BC. They were looking for miners in Bralorne, BC. Dad immediately became a miner. They paid his way by train to Vancouver and gave him an allowance for food to make the journey. Once in Bralorne and sitting in front of the boss he admitted he was not a miner and had no experience whatsoever, but he promised him he would stay and work hard. He ended up staying 11 years in Bralorne. Soon he was able to save up enough money to send for the love of his life, Thelma. She came by train to join her Hurley and together they built a home and started their family together.

Dad loved to garden, and we were all blessed with his fruits of labour. His property in Osoyoos was a garden like none other, a paradise. After retiring from Dankoe Mines, Dad and Mom moved to Princeton where they lived happily until the death of his beloved wife Thelma in March 2015.

A Hero, Storyteller and Jokester. Dad was the last of his siblings. He leaves behind his three daughters; Jackie Compston, Margaret Conrad and Marlo Conrad, Eight Grandchildren; Heather, Stacey, Eric, Gill, Tyson, Sarah, Kelsey and Janie, Eleven Great Grandchildren and numerous Nieces and Nephews.

We would like to extend our gratitude to Dr. Somma and Dr. Whittmann of Langley for caring for Dad during these last few months and the staff at Surrey Memorial Hospital HAU department. Dad was comfortable and knew he was being very well cared for by all the staff. Thank you for your kindness!

To ensure the safety of all of Hurley Conrad’s loved ones, a private service was held on Saturday, July 18, 2020 at 11:30 a.m. in Princeton, BC. Please click below to watch a recording of the service, as well as a Tribute Video, lovingly made by Hurley's family.