Conrad Grisak

Conrad G. Grisak, 75, of Great Falls, an Air Force and Montana Air National Guard veteran and longtime Great Falls hockey supporter, died of natural causes Friday, September 30, 2011, at a local hospital.A gathering of family and friends will be held at Schnider Funeral Home on Tuesday, October 11, 2011, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Private inurnment will take place in Mount Olivet Cemetery.Conrad was born August 31, 1936, in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada to Evelyn (Freel) and George Grisak. As a young man he was an accomplished athlete and developed proficient skills in hockey. Con played back catcher for the Lethbridge Bronx Juniors and they won the Southern Zone Junior Championship. He played as a goal tender for the Lethbridge Native Sons through 1954. In 1954, he moved to Great Falls and played three years for the Great Falls Americans. In 1959, he married Marcia V. Gillis and together they had four sons. He was a proud member of the U.S. Air Force and served several years of active duty -- including a tour in Vietnam -- as a ground crewman, then as a navigator on C97, C130 and C141 cargo planes. He joined the Montana Air National Guard and retired as a master sergeant after 26 years service. He also worked from 1971-96 as a truck driver for Ryans Mercantile (Super Value). Conrad played hockey for the Hawk Electric Hawks and later was a founding player of the Great Falls Silver Foxes. He played a pivotal role in Great Falls youth hockey by coaching for several years and raising four goal tenders who played during the days of the Civic Center Ice Rink. In his retirement, he traveled frequently to Canada, enjoyed his miniature dachshund dogs and watching professional hockey. He was a member of the VFW post 1087, which was named after his wifes uncle, Royal A. Caufield.He is survived by four sons, Greg (Kelly) Grisak of Polson and Chris Grisak, Marc Grisak and Grant (Amy) Grisak, all of Great Falls; eight grandchildren, Samantha, Joshua, Sarah, Gunner, Gracie, Blaine, Samuel and John; his brother, George Grisak of Calgary; sisters Marlene (Jerry) Court and Sharron (Terry) Fritz of Lethbridge; and numerous nieces and nephews.Conrad was preceded in death by his father, George Grisak; his mother, Evelyn (Freel) Grisak; his wife, Marcia V. (Gillis) Grisak; and two infant brothers. In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family requests donations be made to the Great Falls Community Ice Foundation, P.O. Box 2869, Great Falls, MT 59405.