PORTLAND – There’s a good chance, if you live in Portland, you know Richard Conrad, who worked for the city’s Parks and Recreation Department for more than 30 years.

Mr. Conrad, who died on Thursday at age 63, worked for the city of Portland doing such jobs as shoveling city-owned property, maintaining local parks, setting up for events at the Portland Expo Center, and preparing the pond at Deering Oaks for ice skating.

His sister, Anita Walker of Lisbon Falls, said he loved his job and enjoyed socializing with the crew.

“He loved to chew the fat and laugh about things,” his sister said. “He loved the city of Portland.”

Mr. Conrad grew up in Portland, the third of five children. He was remembered by his family on Saturday as a caring and compassionate man, who often reached out to help friends and neighbors in need.

His older sister, Frances Yuan of Austin, Texas, said if a friend needed clothing or groceries, he would help them out. She said it’s the kind of guy he was.

“I admired his compassion,” said Yuan. “It’s what impressed me most about him. He didn’t have very much himself and when he saw those less fortunate, he had compassion for them.”

Mr. Conrad was a lifelong resident of Portland.

He never had a driver’s license, so he walked everywhere. His sisters say that walking helped him get to know many people in the city.

Walker described her brother as a simple guy, who was easy to talk to and had a positive outlook on life.

“He mastered the art of living in the moment,” Walker said. “He didn’t seem to worry unnecessarily or dwell on the past. He enjoyed his life. He was happy.”

Mr. Conrad was close to his siblings and usually spent the holidays with them.

“We would eat too much, laugh, open presents and reminisce about old times,” Walker said. “He will be missed.”

Yuan said she talked to her brother nearly every day. She said it felt like they lived in the same city.

“We take care of each other,” Yuan said of all her siblings. “I’ll miss him being here. He’s part of this family. We’ve always been together and now one is gone. It’s like a piece of the puzzle is missing. It’s sad.”

A wake will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by a funeral service at 2 p.m. on Wednesday at Jones, Rich and Hutchins Funeral Home on Woodford Street in Portland.

Staff Writer Melanie Creamer can be contacted at 791-6361 or at:

mcreamer@pressherald.com