Ray "Gerry" Gerald Conrad K.C.

Ray Gerald “Gerry” Conrad, K.C.,(90), passed away peacefully on August 19, 2026, surrounded by his family.

Gerry lived a full and accomplished life, grounded in family, faith, service, and an enduring curiosity about the world around him. He had a sharp mind, a deep commitment to the people and institutions he served, and a love of being active, whether on a basketball court, ski hill, golf course, sailboat, curling ice, or simply working in the garden at Lake Torment.

After 72 years together, including 65 years of marriage, the passing of his beloved Mary in March 2025 left a profound absence in Gerry’s life. His love for his high school sweetheart never wavered. They were partners in every sense of the word, building a life together filled with family, faith, friendship, travel, and adventure.

The words Gerry and Mary chose for one another perhaps say it best: “Together forever. Forever together.” They are the words that will remain with them, just as the life and love they shared will remain with those who knew them.

Gerry was born in Halifax on November 1, 1935, to Ray DeWolfe Conrad and Lillian Catherine Adams. He was educated at College Street School, St. Mary’s College High School, Saint Mary’s University, and Dalhousie Law School.

Sports were an important part of Gerry’s life from an early age. As a youth, he played baseball with the South End Cardinals and later played senior “C” league softball with the Department of Highways and, following university, with the Halifax Schooners. Basketball was another lifelong passion. He played at St. Mary’s High School, on the varsity team at Saint Mary’s University, and later with the Halifax Schooners.

That love of sport and activity continued throughout his life. Gerry and Mary were members of the Bedford Basin Yacht Club, where they enjoyed sailboat racing together. They were longtime members of Berwick Heights Golf Club and enjoyed downhill skiing throughout Nova Scotia and New England, as well as in Western Canada and, memorably, once in the Alps. Gerry was also a member of the Dartmouth Curling Club and, following his retirement, spent 27 happy years at the club.

For 42 summers, Lake Torment was one of Gerry and Mary’s happiest places. Their cottage was a gathering place for family, friends, and neighbours, filled with boating, swimming, gardening, laughter, and time spent together. Gerry especially enjoyed taking children out for water-skiing lessons and tending to his garden. The lake offered him both activity and relaxation, and the cottage became a place to which he returned year after year with great affection.

Gerry and Mary shared many interests. They were partners in golf, skiing, sailboat racing, and duplicate bridge. Together, they were also active for many years in World Wide Marriage Encounter, serving as a presenting host couple and forming friendships that lasted throughout their lives.

A devout Roman Catholic, Gerry’s faith was an important and steady presence throughout his life. He often spoke of the influence of the Sacred Heart nuns and the Jesuit fathers at St. Mary’s during his formative years. He gave generously of his time to his church and community, including serving as Chair of the Finance Committee of the Archdiocese of Halifax and working with Archbishop Burke in support of the Bishops’ Appeal.

Service extended well beyond his church. Gerry was an active blood donor and served on the board of the Canadian Red Cross. He was also a board member of St. Vincent’s Guest House, the Victorian Order of Nurses, Admiralty Place, and Saint Mary’s University.

His connection to Saint Mary’s remained important to him throughout his life. He was active in alumni affairs and served as President of the Saint Mary’s University Alumni Association in 1976, the same year he was appointed Queen’s Counsel.

While at university, Gerry joined the Royal Canadian Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Plan and continued serving in the Reserve following graduation, retiring with the rank of Flying Officer.

Gerry’s entire legal career was spent in the public service of Nova Scotia. Following his admission to the Bar in 1960, he spent a year with the Workmen’s Compensation Board and two years with the Hospital Insurance Commission before joining the Attorney General’s Department.

There, he was given the opportunity, as he described it, to do “interesting legal work with interesting people.” As legal counsel to the Medical Care Insurance Commission, Gerry worked alongside Minister of Health Richard Donahoe, Q.C., and Chairman Rod Black, Q.C., in bringing medical care insurance to Nova Scotia.

He later served as Nova Scotia’s representative at the United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea, attending meetings in Caracas, Geneva, and New York. His work also took him throughout Canada and gave him the opportunity to visit every capital. Gerry concluded his public service career as Executive Director of Legal Services.

Travel was another important part of the life Gerry and Mary shared. They spent many Marches in Fort Myers, Florida, travelled throughout Canada for skiing and other adventures, and enjoyed cruises through the Caribbean. Gerry’s work at the Law of the Sea Conference also gave them opportunities to experience parts of the world they might not otherwise have seen.

Above all else, Gerry was deeply devoted to his family. He took seriously his role as a husband, father, and grandfather, always working to ensure that those he loved were cared for and had what they needed. Providing for his family was one of the ways Gerry showed his love, and he was a steady and dependable presence throughout their lives. His sons, Stephen and Graham, and his granddaughter, Candace, were central to the life he built and the years he treasured most.

Gerry was predeceased by his beloved wife, Mary Carroll Conrad (Murphy); his parents, Ray DeWolfe and Lillian Catherine Conrad; his brothers Kenneth Joseph Conrad, who died in infancy, and Kenneth Adams Conrad; his sister Janet Conrad; and his brother Brian Conrad.

He is survived and will be greatly missed by his sons, Stephen and Graham Conrad; his granddaughter Candace (Adam Mitchell); his brother Graham Conrad (Donna Goyetche); his sister-in-law Lillian Conrad; as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

Gerry’s family extends its sincere gratitude to the staff of Parkland at the Common for the compassion, kindness, and care they provided to him. Their support and dignity in caring for Gerry, particularly in the final chapter of his life, will be remembered with deep appreciation.

A funeral service will be held, September 24th at 11am. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish - Saint Peter Church, Dartmouth, with brief reception to follow.