Conrad J. Bladey

Bladey, Conrad J.

On June 16, 2025 Conrad was the beloved husband of 45 years to Mary Bladey; Devoted father of  Margaret Bladey and husband Elijah Diefenbach; Brother of Stephen Bladey and Laura Waters; Also survived by nieces and nephews.

Friends, family, and the community will remember Conrad as one of the most colorful, interesting, intelligent - yet exasperating people they will likely ever know. He was an anthropologist, artist, writer, teacher, and performer. He was also that energetic six-foot tall, overall-wearing Santa-esque legend in his art car that we saw regularly on the streets of Baltimore. Conrad was living proof of that artistic expression is most authentic when it surprises, delights, and awakens those who experience it. His scholarly expertise ranged widely, from Guy Fawkes and the history of bonfire societies in the early United States to early English folk music, through Irish culture, to the life of John Newton, writer of "Amazing Grace". It also included how to properly affix Barbie heads to a 1969 Pontiac.

Conrad's first brush with history was in London as a volunteer on a rescue dig of a Roman bath in 1967. His interest in the past was supported by his parents who, while living in London and Munich, led the family camping throughout Britain and the Continent at every opportunity. Conrad was educated at University of Maryland and Durham University (UK) with graduate work at University of Tennessee.

Visit the family owned Gonce Funeral Service P.A. 4001 Ritchie highway on Wednesday from 9:30 to 10:45 A.M. Funeral Service 11:30 AM. at Zion Church of the City of Baltimore 400 E. Lexington Street, Baltimore, MD 21202. Graveside to follow at 1:00 P.M. at Loudon Park Cemetery.

Feel free to express your condolences on his tribute wall.

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