How do we sum up a life? We share stories and memories, each of us with a different but unique version. Hugh left us all with a story or two, usually they ended with a smile.
He was born, Hugh Bernard Conrad March 27, 1933 to Barney and Louise in New Westminster British Columbia.
Hugh was ten years old when the family moved to Penhold Alberta, this is where Hugh would attend school. It was there in that schoolyard standing on the pitcher’s mound he would unleash a rare talent, that talent was playing ball. He could pitch a fastball like no other could for many miles around. Later in his life some old timers would slap him on the back saying “another time, another place Hughie and you would have been in the big leagues.”
In 1951 the Conrad’s headed to the Peace River country and Bear Canyon became their home. In 1954 Hugh’s life as a farmer began with the purchase of his homestead on the frosty 33. Hugh, his Dad, and brother Gordon cleared and broke the land through sweat and toil building it into the farms they have today.
During winter months through the earlier years the brothers would go to work in the logging and sawmill industries trying to make ends meet, of course returning to the farm when the spring work beckoned.
Hugh worked one summer for a local farmer, Carl Clay. This particular summer turned out to be a life altering summer for Hugh for it would be there he met his soul mate, the farmer’s daughter Shirley.
They had a whirlwind courtship, going to dances, hay rides, ballgames, picnics and such and they fell in love.
They wed in October 1956. Farm life became family life when Darla arrived in 1957, Cindy in 1958 and Greg in 1963.
As the grain farm grew so did the cattle and all the work that went along with it. Hugh would often be found in the barnyard driving the farmhand, hauling pails of chop, or watering cattle just to name a few daily chores that needed be done.
Hugh offered encouragement, inspiration and more often than not laughter, he sang a song or two, and made a couple of double plays! However, baseball was just one of Hughies passions he also enjoyed curling, golfing, fishing and even threw the odd ringer in horseshoes not mention the countless camping trips where so many memories were made.
Hugh was an honest hard working man who provided well for his family. He would use his callused hands to turn the soil, or wrangle some cattle or pound some nails to make shelter for a friend and neighbour. With Hugh’s gentle manner, those same hands could comfort a grandchild who scraped their knee while learning to ride their bike.
Hugh’s grandchildren often referred to him as their hero, when it is you who were his. He loved you all so very much he hoped and dreamed you would each reach your full potential in life.
Hugh got such joy from his little great granddaughters, he loved them all so dearly each one of them brought such a special gift to their Poppa.
Hugh was a son, a brother, a husband, an uncle, a Father, a Grandfather and Great Grandfather and of course a friend.
Hughie was an ideal example of someone going that extra mile, he believed in the golden rule of treating others as you expect to be treated, to love your neighbour as yourself, and to give of yourself without expectation of receiving something in return. It was in giving that Hughie received. He was loved so much because he loved so much.
There was a phrase given to Hugh in the days before his passing which he took comfort in …..Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened……
A Celebration of life service was held on February 16, 2011 at the Cherry Canyon Recreation Centre, Bear Canyon, Alberta. John Stevenson officiated and Hugh’s nephew Terry Clay read his eulogy.
Arrangements were entrusted to Bergeron Funeral Services & Crematorium Ltd. Dawson Creek, BC .
