Joseph Michael Conrad Jr., a Catholic deacon and federal official, dies at 78
Deacon Joseph Michael Conrad Jr.
Joseph Michael Conrad Jr., a deacon of the Roman Catholic Church who also was an official of the federal Small Business Administration, died Aug. 8 in his home in Upper Marlboro, Md. He was 78.
Deacon Conrad, a native New Orleanian, had lived in the Washington, D.C., area since 1982.
He graduated from Xavier University and studied at George Washington University, the Brookings Institution, St. Joseph's Seminary and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He served 3 ½ years in the Army.
Deacon Conrad was a federal employee for more than 40 years, most of that time with the Small Business Administration.
In 1978, he was named head of the agency's Louisiana office, making him the first African-American district director in the South. Throughout his time there, he promoted minority business development and set up programs backing the development of minority-owned businesses.
In recognition of his work, Deacon Conrad received the agency's Silver Medal for Meritorious Service.
He retired in 1995 after a career that also included work at the Labor and Commerce departments and the Civil Service Commission.
He also was active in his religion. In 1971, he was one of 23 married men who were the first ordained permanent deacons in the United States. Deacon Conrad served at churches in Washington, Massachusetts and New Orleans.
Survivors include his wife, Bernadine Conrad; a son, Joseph M. Conrad III; two daughters, Monique Conrad O'Grady and Melinda Conrad Brown; a brother, Fitz Conrad; a sister, Shirley Conrad; and seven grandchildren.
A Mass was said Sunday at St. Luke Catholic Church in Washington. Burial was in Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Silver Spring, Md.
Stewart Funeral Home of Washington was in charge of arrangements.
Deacon Conrad, a native New Orleanian, had lived in the Washington, D.C., area since 1982.
He graduated from Xavier University and studied at George Washington University, the Brookings Institution, St. Joseph's Seminary and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He served 3 ½ years in the Army.
Deacon Conrad was a federal employee for more than 40 years, most of that time with the Small Business Administration.
In 1978, he was named head of the agency's Louisiana office, making him the first African-American district director in the South. Throughout his time there, he promoted minority business development and set up programs backing the development of minority-owned businesses.
In recognition of his work, Deacon Conrad received the agency's Silver Medal for Meritorious Service.
He retired in 1995 after a career that also included work at the Labor and Commerce departments and the Civil Service Commission.
He also was active in his religion. In 1971, he was one of 23 married men who were the first ordained permanent deacons in the United States. Deacon Conrad served at churches in Washington, Massachusetts and New Orleans.
Survivors include his wife, Bernadine Conrad; a son, Joseph M. Conrad III; two daughters, Monique Conrad O'Grady and Melinda Conrad Brown; a brother, Fitz Conrad; a sister, Shirley Conrad; and seven grandchildren.
A Mass was said Sunday at St. Luke Catholic Church in Washington. Burial was in Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Silver Spring, Md.
Stewart Funeral Home of Washington was in charge of arrangements.
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