Obituary of Conrad Sylvia

Funny, generous, and gregarious Conrad Sylvia passed away quietly In the early hours of March 1, 2013, he was 78. Conrad was born August 2, 1934 in New Bedford, Massachusetts where he attended local schools. The only son with 4 sisters, he was always lovingly referred to as 'boy' by his family. When he was 17 he joined the Marines. He was sent to Korea where he served on the front lines and where he earned a Purple Heart, He also attended the Peace Talks at Pan Mun Jom where he was an interpreter for the logistics operations. He was very proud of the fact that he was on the front lines when the cease fire began. He also spent time in New Orleans and New York, wonderful places for a young marine to find an adventure or three. Conrad had many wonderful stories of his time In the military and the jobs that he did. After his stint in the military was completed, Conrad helped his sister move west to California. The weather was better in California, so he stuck around too. He did a few dlfferent jobs. Including working on and off for Peterson Tractor in San Leandro. He joined a local theater group and met Janice who became his wife. The new family moved with Peterson Tractor to Chico in 1959 who Conrad worked for until his retirement. Conrad was an avid bowler, being a part of various bowling leagues and helping organize tournaments for many years, he was honored by being voted into the Hail of Fame. Conrad also enjoyed fishing, hunting, watching Chico Peppers softballs games, cribbage, and the general mayhem that Chico in the 1960s and 1970s could bring. Conrad was a long time member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles #218, where he rose up through all the chairs and established himself within the community. Organizing dances, bus trips to sporting events, and playing cribbage, he was a fixture of the Eagles lodge for over 50 years. He may not have always remembered names, but everyone at the Eagle's Hail was a brother or sister to him. There was a time when sitting at a stop light In his old GMC truck; he would know people in 4 of the 5 other cars in the line. Conrad is survived by his children; sons Douglas and wife Pam, and Eric, daughter Charmaine and husband Scott, his grand-children; Jonathan, Almee, Riley, Kelsey, and Rohan; great -grand children Chloe, Odin and Pixie; his ex-wife Janice Sylvia, and his remaining sister Constance Greene of LaQunita, CA. Services will be at 11:00am, Friday, March 22, 2013 at the Eagles Hall, 1940 Mulberry Aye, Chico , CA Bruise Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.