Conrad John Christel, 82, of Punta Gorda, Florida passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, September 12, 2026. Conrad was born on January 8, 1944, in Buffalo, New York, to the late Conrad John Christel and Norma Lee Davidson. He graduated from Amherst Central High School and earned his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at Clarkson University, Potsdam, New York, where he played tennis and joined the Alpha Chi Rho fraternity.

On November 5th, 1966, Conrad married Cynthia Carol Campbell in her hometown of Potsdam, NY. He began his engineering career at Grumman’s Bethpage facility on Long Island, NY, where he worked on the Command Module for the historic Apollo 11 mission as well as several military aircraft. As newlyweds, the couple enjoyed entertaining, connecting with relatives, and taking road trips in their 1969 Corvette to Potsdam and Buffalo.

After 7 years on Long Island, Conrad and Cindy moved to the Finger Lakes, settling in Dryden, NY, to raise their daughter Cari and son Conrad (CJ). Conrad worked for Pall Corporation in Cortland, where he made many lifelong friends. As a father, he helped with homework, entertained the family with joy rides, and played a wide selection of their favorite oldies on piano and guitar.

In 2002, Conrad suffered a stroke that took the use of his right arm. He and Cindy moved to Punta Gorda, FL, where they enjoyed live music, comedy, and plays; made new friends, reconnected with old ones; and filled their days with entertaining, eating out, playing pool and Farkle, and swimming in their pool. Conrad especially treasured visits with his children and grandchildren.

Conrad was known for his patience, perseverance, resourcefulness, honesty, love of music, thirst for knowledge, and sense of humor. Before each visit, he curated a fascinating, individualized playlist of TV shows for his children and grandchildren. He put his patience and ingenuity to work inventing tools to build other tools, so he could accomplish with one-hand what most people find challenging with two. Above all, Conrad and Cindy were known for their 59-year devotion to each other.

Conrad is survived by his loving wife, Cynthia (Campbell) Christel; daughter, Cari Darminio and husband Christopher of Portsmouth, RI; son, Conrad Christel of Lyons, NY; grandsons, Alec Darminio and Jason Darminio; and several other family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Punta Gorda Fire Department, Station 1, 1410 Tamiami Trail, Punta Gorda, 33950.