Kevin M Konrad

Mr. Kevin M. Konrad, 70, left many broken hearts behind when he unexpectedly departed his earthly home on Wednesday, July 22, 2026.

We respectfully request that no one arrive at the funeral home prior to the posted visitation times, so as not to intrude on the family’s private time. 

Family and friends are invited to the visitation in the Kowalski Funeral Home, 515 Roselle Street, Linden on Wednesday, July 29th. from 2:00-5:00PM and the Sharing of Memories will begin at 4:30PM.  The cremation in Rosehill Crematory in Linden will be private.  In lieu of flowers, donation can be made in Kevin’s memory to the Greater New Jersey Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 290 West Mount Pleasant Avenue, Suite 2240, Livingston, NJ 07039 or online at http://www.cff.org/donate                                                                      

Kevin, the son of Joan McKittrick Konrad and the late Bruno Konrad, was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey.  He lived most of his life in both Howell and Linden before settling in Toms River four years ago.

His education pursuits included Kevin graduating with full honors every semester.  He went on to Mercer County Community College in West Windsor where he was enrolled in the Funeral Service Preparatory program.  During his time at Mercer, Kevin served as the President of his class and the President of the Pi Mu Sigma fraternity.  Kevin completed the rigorous classes, apprenticeship period, National Board exams and the New Jersey State exam, and became a licensed funeral director in the State of New Jersey – an accomplishment that he was very proud of.  Later his life, his career journey took a turn, and Kevin again put in the time and the hard work to join the United Association of Sprinkler Fitters, Union Local #696, Milburn, where he was not only a member but also a past vice-president.  He continued to push forward tirelessly, installing reliable automatic sprinkler systems, protecting commercial buildings, but also the people who were employed there.  After 44 years of working hard at a job that he took great pride in, Kevin retired four years ago.

Throughout his life, his civic and social organizations kept Kevin extremely busy.  He was a founding member of the Linden Jaycees, a member of the Linden Kiwanis Club, the American Legion Post #102 of Linden, the Linden Knights of Columbus Council #2859, the Elizabeth Lions Club and the Essex, Union and West Hudson Funeral Director Association.  He was forever a super avid Jets fan, collecting all sorts of memorabilia along the way, that he liked to display for all to see.

Kevin loved to write extensively, whether it be keeping the family history lessons alive or simply a phone text, which for Kevin was never just a few words.  He wanted all to know the lessons he learned from his parents because it was important for him to share the events that made him the man that he was.  Growing up, Kevin told us how he understood the value of hard work, a lesson learned from his father, Bruno who came from Germany to the United States with nothing but the clothes on his back.  Bruno settled on a chicken farm in Englishtown, New Jersey, as an indentured servant, working two jobs, seven days a week and saving every penny.  This was another life lesson learned by Kevin on how to save.  Kevin’s mom and dad, who hadn’t met yet, seemed to be destined to be together.  Kevin’s dad, Bruno, couldn’t wait to become a citizen and the day he did, it was a tremendous source of pride in his new homeland.  Shortly thereafter, according to Kevin, they met, got married and started the “Konrad Family”  As Kevin loved to say, “The Rest is History!”  Kevin was one of five children, which included two sets of twins.  Kevin was always so proud of his mom and sometimes felt he might not have sung her praises loud enough.  He watched her struggle day in and day out, but admired her for always being there, taking care of all of them, cooking 7 days a week, making sure everyone had clean clothes and food on the table.  Kevin said that they had the best holidays EVER! - especially Christmas.  Life was never easy, as Kevin’s father did shift work in a factory and had to use the only car the family had.  That meant Kevin, his mom and his sibling would walk everywhere.  If it was too far, they were in for a treat by riding the ole” “44” bus to Elizabeth where his mom took all of them, included his disabled twin sister for Easter clothes, etc..  Kevin has often said that he never understood how his mom accomplished so much.  Even though Kevin acknowledges that all of this took a toll on his mom, he called her amazing and felt she still is today.

To Kevin his life seemed good, normal actually and the same as everyone else’s in his circle, but he experienced his share of pain, as well.  He lost his twin sister, Kathleen Patricia Konrad, in 1976 when she was a mere 20 years old.  He carried the ache and loss from that tragic day, confessing that it still hurt every day.  He then lost his father, Bruno Konrad, in 2011 and his brother Christopher B. Konrad in 2019.

Kevin is survived by his mother, Joan McKittrick Konrad; his sister, Carolyn J. Frees; his four children, Kathryn Skribner and her husband Steve, Allyson Konrad, Kevin Konrad II and his wife, Samantha and Erika Burkert and her husband, Stephen; his six grandchildren, Caleb and Taylor Skribner, Madelyn, Sophie, Zachary and Lucy Burkert; several nieces and nephews; his former brother-in-law, Robert Frees and Kevin’s great array of neighbors, buddies and friends.

Kevin in his writings felt he was super blessed in his life and above all else, his family would always come first.  His thoughts he wanted to leave to those he loved were “till we all meet again” and “gone fishin’”.

Kevin was an amazing son, brother, father, uncle and friend – shiny Florsheim shoes not easy to fill.  May he forever be remembered with love and a smile…….because that’s the way Kevin would like it!

This obituary is original intellectual property of Kowalski Funeral Home, and should not be distributed, reproduced, or plagiarized without Kowalski Funeral Home or the families’ consent and authorization.

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