George Lefferts Conard

George Lefferts Conard passed away just after midnight on Tuesday, January 4, 2022, in the home he shared with Judy, his wife of 40 years. He left the world quietly and peacefully, much as he had lived for just over 90 years. Born December 1, 1931, in Belle Mead, NJ, to Samuel and Mary Stryker Conard, George grew up on a farm with a houseful of five brothers and sisters. His early years spanned the Great Depression and World War II, both of which left a deep impression on him; humble and gracious, George didn’t take anyone or anything for granted, and he was always quick to lend a hand. The son of a banker, George grew to enjoy, and to appreciate the value of, hard work and community service. His family and friends saw George as the real deal: dependable, trustworthy, kind, friendly, and generous. Committed to his country, George joined the U.S. Air Force, serving as an airplane mechanic from 1957 to 1961 — an experience that led to his lifelong love of flying. A private pilot for many years and later a member of the Quiet Birdmen, he owned airplanes, flying out of Sky Manor Airport in Pittstown, NJ. As a member and one-time international president of the International Flying Farmers, George often flew with Judy across the country, meeting up with other pilot friends and families and attending Flying Farmer conventions. Throughout his life, George connected with farmers and farming. Descended from early settlers in central New Jersey, he was proud of his family’s roots in the Garden State. Wherever he traveled, he would happily promote New Jersey’s produce (the best blueberries, he said), but he also was open to learning about other states’ agricultural points of pride as he and Judy visited friends and family from Vermont to Iowa to Arizona to Florida. As the lead appraiser for Farm Credit Service in Lebanon, NJ, for decades, George put his love of farming and knowledge of banking to work; he knew the history, ownership, and acreage of every farming property in central New Jersey. While he was working at the bank, he farmed over a thousand acres with his partner Everitt Hill in and around Clover Hill. He actively served his community his entire life, including as a member of the Hunterdon County Board of Agriculture, one of the founders of the Hunterdon County 4-H and Agricultural Fair, parishioner of Clover Hill Reformed Church, and trustee of the Prospect Hill Cemetery Association. George had lived with Judy in Flemington since 1981, and before that, in Hillsborough Township. In many of his pursuits over the past four decades, George had included Judy, whom he met when both worked at Farm Credit. Married on July 25, 1981, they were a true team, whether setting up tables for the Hunterdon County fair, or organizing meetings for the Flying Farmers, or serving meals at church events. In their retirement, they traveled extensively throughout the country and the world. For almost 20 years, they enjoyed staying on Kezar Lake in Center Lovell, Maine, welcoming family — including their many grandchildren — to join them on vacation. And even though George always kept busy in his later years — taking daily walks around town, chopping wood, raking leaves, shoveling snow, or cleaning up after dinner — he also was quite content to sit on the couch and read the paper, with Judy, the love of his life, by his side. In addition to his wife, Judith Amato Conard, George is survived by his daughter from a previous marriage, Cynthia (Thomas) Conard Lenner and two grandchildren, Jessica Lenner and Justin Lenner, all of Piscataway, NJ; three stepsons, Barry King of Jericho, VT, David (Meredith) King of Acton, MA, and Steven (Diane) King of Flemington, NJ; eight step-grandchildren; and a brother, Douglas (Sondra) Conard of Spencer, Iowa, and a sister, Hannah (Jay) Drake of Hillsborough, NJ. Calling hours will be 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, January 6, 2022, at Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, January 7, 2022, in Clover Hill Reformed Church, Amwell Road, Clover Hill, NJ. Burial will follow in Prospect Hill Cemetery, Flemington, NJ. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Clover Hill Reformed Church, 890 Amwell Road, Hillsborough, NJ 08844. For further information or to send an online condolence, please visit www.holcombewfisher.com.