Conrad R. Brault

Conrad Brault, of Lyme CT, passed away quietly in his sleep on February 23rd. He was born on August 27, 1929 in Salem, MA. He attended St. Joseph's, a French speaking school. Conrad and his sister Constance enjoyed growing up in a close-knit and large extended family. His grandfather lovingly welcomed the entire family to weekly dinners at his home in Salem, one of many of Conrad’s dear childhood memories. They spent endless summers in Nashua NH, raucous weekends at the lake in Beverly MA, and countless mischievous hours on the beaches at Marblehead and Salem. They sailed, fished, and explored the shores. His was a childhood rich in experiences and closeness of family. Conrad loved the harbor and being on the water; despite never learning to swim, his love of sailing kept him on the water at every opportunity.

As a child, Conrad was nicknamed “Sonny” by his family, a name he embraced dearly. As a young man, he loved to dance to the Big Bands at Revere Beach, took up cycling (the beginning of what would become a life-long passion), enlisted in the Junior Navy, and attended art school in Boston. Conrad spent seven years in the Navy and was stationed in Key West during the Korean War aboard the destroyer escort USS Francis M. Robinson (DE-220) from 1951-1953, where he was in charge of the wheelhouse. On board, he availed himself of the Captain’s library and became a voracious reader, Horatio Hornblower a befitting favorite. On land, he was known to hitchhike through the everglades to visit friends and family, his quest for adventure unending.

Following his military service, Conrad enrolled at the Indiana Institute of Technology. He went on to a successful career as an engineer at Pratt & Whitney, Magnaflux, and ultimately retired from Hartford Steam Boiler. During this time he travelled the world and was blessed with four children. Throughout his professional career, Conrad continued cycling - one of his fondest memories was riding and training with Joe Tosi. As he approached retirement, Conrad sought out a new challenge; in 1983 he enrolled in the CT Center for Massage Therapy and began a new chapter in his life. Because of business travel, he missed his opportunity to be Bob Hope’s massage therapist while the celebrity was visiting Hartford, a story Conrad loved to share.

After retirement, he was able to actively pursue his passion for cycling. He joined the MA Bay Cycling Club as their massage therapist, travelling as far as Canada and San Antonio TX. In his more relaxing moments, he taught himself the skill of carpentry while renovating his home in Lyme and later worked for Ashlawn Farm delivering coffee, a job he loved.

Friends and family describe Conrad as a gentle soul with a warm heart. His sense of humor was legendary and his love of children profound. He was pre-deceased by Patricia Gallagher, his first wife, with whom he had four children. He leaves behind his loving wife, Judy, his children Anne Marie Brault McCann and her husband Jim of Andover CT, Michael Brault and his wife Kimberly of South Windsor, Stephen Brault and his wife Susan of Suffield, and Christopher Brault of Windsor Locks, and his sister Constance Wilkinson of Salem MA. He is also survived by his grandchildren Nathan and Sarah McCann of Andover, Shaun and Meghan Brault of South Windsor, Kristen Evison and her husband Jay of Wales UK, Daniel Brault and Samantha Cremin of Reading MA, Caitlin Brault R.N. of Liverpool NY, and Erin Brault of Suffield CT. He thought the world of his family and they of him.

Conrad will be remembered for the love he gave, the adventurous spirit he shared, an indelible sense of humor, and the generosity he bestowed.

Memorial contributions may be made to Honor Flight New England, PO Box 16287, Hooksett, NH 03106.