George Patrick Conard

George Patrick Conard, a resident at the Green House at Lebanon Valley Brethren Home in Palmyra, was received into the arms of God on Monday the 4th of July with loved ones beside him.

Born March 4, 1924, in Brooklyn, New York, George was married at the tender age of twenty to life-long sweetheart, Thelma M. Burcham. 

Before moving to Long Island to raise a family, he proudly served in our nation's Army Air Corps during World War II, protecting the home front.  After his service, George and Thelma would go on to raise five children, and eventually retire to Hershey some twenty years ago.

Boisterous and full of life, George loved the thrill of entertaining a crowded room - whether his audience members were simply family or a standing-room-only theater of strangers.  A lover of music and gifted with a beautiful voice, George toured and sang with many regional and local singing groups throughout his years - including the Ancient Order of Hibernians - and even performed onstage with Frank Patterson at Radio City Music Hall. 

A devout Catholic and passionate Irishman, one of the highlights of George's travels throughout the years was a trip to Ireland wherein he was able to kiss the Blarney Stone.  When home, he loved the thrill of watching boxing fights every Monday night and he adored anything related to Marilyn Monroe.  Though, in all honesty, he never adored another woman more than his precious Thelma, his wife of over 70 years.  They laughed together, they loved together, and they were always beside one another.

Heartbroken over the loss of Thelma this past November, George's health suffered greatly over the following months.   His family believes that he wanted nothing more than to be welcomed back into her arms before the eyes of God.  George is survived by his children - Linda Schantz, Gail Caravella, Ronald & Dorothea Conard, and Robert & Suzanne Conard - though his eldest son, George, sadly preceded him to the gates of Heaven.  His large, happy family includes a bevvy of grandchildren, as well as several great-grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 AM on Tuesday, July 12, 2016 at the Church of the Holy Spirit, 245 West Pine Street, Palmyra, PA  17078 with Father James F. Podlesny, O.S.B. as Celebrant.  Burial will follow in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, with full military honors.  There will be a viewing held at the church on from 10 AM until the time of Mass on Tuesday.  Arrangements have been entrusted to the Rothermel-Finkenbinder Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., 25 W. Pine St., Palmyra, PA 17078.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please send donations to either George's beloved Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 245 W. Pine St., Palmyra, PA 17078, or to the Sunshine Fund at Lebanon Valley Brethren Home, 1200 Grubb Rd., Palmyra, PA 17078.

Condolences and memories may be shared at www.RothermelFuneralHome.com

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