Vale:  Francis Conrad Gleeson (SVC 1950-53)

Conrad was born in Sydney on 11.07.1935 and died on 12.07.2024, just 1 day after his 89th birthday. When he was very young his family moved to Melbourne, where his father, a journalist, worked at a Catholic newspaper, collating Tasmanian news for the paper.

When Conrad was seven years old his parent’s marriage broke down and he and his sister were placed into boarding schools firstly in Mentone and later in Ballarat. Conrad’s father Gerald continued to live in a hotel in Melbourne and his mother Beryl moved to Queensland to be with her family. Conrad saw very little of his family growing up, sometimes stayed with the Brothers on holidays, occasionally with his father in hotels or was farmed out to random families.

Conrad finished his education as a border at St Virgil’s in Hobart. 

Conrad played a significant part in the formation of the Virgilians Swimming Club in 1953 – swimming became a major part of his life and he travelled around Australia to compete in Masters Swimming events with significant success.

In April 2010 he was a member of the team that established an age group world record in 4 x 100m relay.

Conrad won a scholarship to the University of Tasmania, with very little money available he worked at supermarkets on weekends and holidays to support his education. At University, Conrad became involved in many aspects of Uni life, football, drama, water polo, and chess club to name a few. After graduating from the university with a Bachelor of Arts and a Diploma of Education, Conrad commenced a teaching career - his first teaching position was at New Norfolk and this was followed by a move to King Island District High. While on King Island Conrad played Aussie rules, coached the girl’s netball team and spent a lot of time diving around the coast for crayfish and abalone. Conrad met Rhonda on the Island, they married there a few years later – a marriage that was to last 61 years and raise four children - Damian, Matthew, Jonathan and Emma.

From King Island, Conrad had placements at Queechy High School, Oatlands District High School, Rabaul and Goraka in PNG where he was a Deputy Headmaster, Flinders Island as Headmaster for nine years and finally George Town High School as a Deputy Headmaster. Post-teaching Conrad spent time helping out the less fortunate as a night manager of Barton Lodge - a Centracare crisis centre in Launceston. 

After retiring Conrad and Rhonda moved to Bogangar on the northern NSW coast. Travelling became a passion, travelling overseas visiting many countries, also spending time caravanning around Australia.

Conrad was an avid collector, of stamps, coins, maps, and beer coasters to name but a few. He was an avid vegetable gardener – his output the envy of many. Conrad battled with skin cancer and arthritis for many years, but was never one to complain - he just got on with life.

In February 2024 Conrad was diagnosed with melanoma cancer, he did receive treatment, but unfortunately, the treatment wasn’t a success.

To quote Rhonda - “I was married to this amazing man for 61 years, while he was teaching he went to school each day with enthusiasm, saw good in every child, and never had an unkind word to say about anyone. He was a fantastic father who spent much time playing with our children be it building Lego, board games, cricket, football, many hours combing the beaches for small sea creatures.”

Rest in peace, Conrad. A life well lived.