Gregory Conant, Conant

Brother Gregory Conant, O.S.B. died peacefully on July 23, 2015 at Saint Benedict Abbey, Still River, Massachusetts, after a lengthy illness. In addition to his religious community, he leaves his sister-in-law, Margaret Wait Conant and his nephews and nieces, Kenneth J. Conant, III (Amy), Ann Marie DeMaris (Todd), Mariah Frankenhoff (Darwin), Jeanne Frances Conant-Winter (Joseph), Robert Peter Conant (Geri), along with grand and great-grand nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by his brother, Kenneth.
The second of two sons of the late Dr. Kenneth J. Conant and Marie (Schneider) Conant, John Simon Conant was born in Cambridge on December 6, 1927. After attending Shady Hill School and Cambridge High and Latin, he enlisted in the United States Coast Guard in February, 1945. A year and a half later, he entered Harvard University where his father was professor of architecture and noted authority on the medieval abbey of Cluny. Later, John transferred to Siena College, New York, from which he received his B.A. degree in 1950. During his college years, he became associated with Saint Benedict Center in Cambridge. From 1949 - 1953, he was a member of the United States Army Reserve and served in Korea, after which he returned to Saint Benedict Center and became a member the Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary taking the name Brother Gregory. In 1982, he professed vows as a Benedictine monk with his community (now known as Saint Benedict Abbey).
Due to illness, Brother Gregory spent his last three years as a resident of Life Care Center of Acton who cared for him with a particular kindness and solicitude. Brother Gregory will be greatly missed by his brother monks, his relatives and friends, and by all who loved his child-like simplicity and enjoyed engaging him in conversation.