Conrad H. Lang Jr.

Conrad H. Lang, Jr., age 93, passed away on August 25, 2024 at his residence at Glass Lake, Rensselaer County surrounded by his children. The son of Conrad H. Lang, Sr. and Helene Callahan Lang, he was married to Elizabeth Dickson Lang for 65 years until her passing in 2022.

Connie graduated from Troy High School in 1949, Union College in 1954, and Albany Law School in 1957. He enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve in 1951 during the Korean War, and in later years was a member of the American Legion. His first employment after law school was with the Albany law firm of Rankin, Frisbee and Hills, which operated the Albany Title Company, specializing in real estate title insurance. He then was employed as a claim’s investigator for the Hardware Mutual Insurance Company.

In 1960 Connie entered the private practice of law in Troy with two friends, Con G. Cholakis and Paul V. Morgan. He continued in private practice for 35 years, moving his office to Averill Park in 1967. 

During that period, he became active in Republican Party Politics, joining the Sand Lake Republican Club and the Rensselaer County Young Republicans Club. He also served as President of the Averill Park and Sand Lake Fire Company in 1962 and 1963.

Connie held a number of positions in Rensselaer County government including Chief Clerk of the Surrogate Court, Grafton Town Attorney, Condemnation Attorney for the Troy Urban Renewal Agency, Assistant District Attorney and Deputy County Clerk.

He was elected to two terms as Sand Lake Town Justice and to two terms as Rensselaer County Legislator for District 4. In 1994 Connie was elected Rensselaer County Surrogate Court Judge. In that position, he also presided at various times over matters in County Court, Family Court and Supreme Court. Upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70 in 2002, Connie retired as a full-time judge, but then served on a part time basis as a Judicial Hearing Officer in the New York State Unified Court System, presiding over trials in the various courts for the next seven years.

Connie is survived by his daughter Valerie Waldin (late William), his son Jeffrey Lang (Linda), his daughter Lisa Karam (James), and nine grandchildren: Andrew, Diana, Elizabeth, Matthew, Joseph, Maya, Aaron, Shia and Alan. He is also survived by his brother John Lang (the late Ellen Kenney), sister Dana Lang Carpentier (David), brother in law Harvey Dickson ( the late Marion Drzewiecka ) and numerous nieces and nephews.

During his retirement he spent sixteen years as a trustee of Hudson Valley Community College, including eight years as Vice Chairman and four years as Chairman of the Board of Trustees. When he retired from the Board, he was given the honorary title of “Chairman Emeritus.”

Connie and Bette wintered in Florida during his retirement at Lighthouse Point, Florida, where he served as President of the Lighthouse Colony Condominium Association.

Connie admitted to being only an occasional golfer but greatly enjoyed boating and swimming, and owned a number of boats in his lifetime, some of which he kept in Eastern Long Island, an area he cherished as a child and adult.

In his early seventies, with three companions, he ran his 40-foot Egg Harbor (the Whirlwind VI) on a 10-day, 1500-mile trip from eastern Long Island to South Florida, where he kept the boat for about ten years. In the early years of wintering in South Florida, Connie and Bette lived on his 40-foot cabin cruiser where his family visited frequently. They were happy years for both. Connie loved his family and enjoyed his friends, and in later years often reminisced about all of the wonderful people he had had the privilege and pleasure of knowing during his lifetime.

Relatives and friends are invited and may call 4-6:30 pm on Wednesday, September 4, 2024 at the Perry-Komdat Funeral Chapel 2691 NY 43 at Glass Lake Averill Park followed at 6:30 by a time of sharing with his family and friends.

A private burial will be at the St. Mary’s Cemetery in Troy.

Contributions in Conrad Lang’s memory may be sent to the wonderful organization, Community Hospice 310 So. Manning Blvd. Albany NY 12208: www.communityhospice.org. 

Visit www.perrykomdat.com for directions and a guestbook.