Fr. Conrad went to his eternal reward on 17th February 2022, at the age of 84 years, 63 of which were spent as a Jesuit. Fr. Conrad’s journey was linked to St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai. An alumnus of its Microbiology Department, Fr. Conrad did a double graduation in Botany and taught in the newly formed Department of Life Sciences till his retirement. While not a researcher himself, Fr. Conrad took a keen interest in supporting research. When Fr. Lancy Pereira S.J. retired, and the Caius Interdisciplinary Laboratory was somewhat in a shadow, Fr. Conrad became the champion to plead for retaining the research facilities and was soon appointed its Director. The facilities were restored, research resumed and Fr. Conrad was associated with significant research projects including an UNDP program on natural dyes.
Fr. Conrad will also be remembered for his warm relationships with the faculty and his mentorship of students in the classroom and beyond. He associated himself with the Campus Ministry efforts of the College and he especially enjoyed treks in the hills of Khandala where the College has a Human Resource Development Centre. Even at the age of 80 and now functioning from St. Peter’s Parish, Bandra, Fr. Conrad could be found leading the treks.
A much noticed trait of Fr. Conrad was his humour. He saw the funny side of the most mundane things and could also laugh at himself. He was a passionate supporter of the Care-for-Creation efforts in the Parishes he served. His love of nature also impelled him to alternate medicine, especially Naturopathy and Homeopathy. He not only practiced these on himself but also offered them to others. The Bombay Jesuits were blessed to have Fr. Conrad in their ranks.
Frazer Mascarenhas, SJ
