Conrad Gersuny biography: 13 things about New York artist born in Vienna, Austria

Who was Conrad Gersuny?

Conrad Gersuny was an Austrian-American artist who lived in New York City, New York, United States. Exactly 10 years ago, he was born in Vienna, Austria to Otto Gersuny and Lisbeth Stiassny Gersuny.

From Vienna, Otto and Lisbeth later moved to Jackson Heights, Queens, New York City with Conrad and their other son Carl Gersuny. Conrad was 3 years younger Carl.

Portia Arthur was Conrad’s partner for 11 years. While living with her in Morristown, Lamoille County, Vermont, USA, he remained friends with his three former wives.

Carl was an alumnus of Johnson State College in Johnson, Vermont. Here are 13 more things about him:

1. In October 1938, he, Carl and their parents emigrated by ship from Austria to New York City.
2. In 1946, he started studying jewelry and metal sculpture.
3. During the Korean War from 1950 to 1953, he lived in Alaska, USA.
4. He dated Jacqueline Smith before she met Thomas G. Daniel in New York City. She died on December 24, 1955.
5. In 1956, he opened The Conrad Shop in Greenwich Village, New York City. Among his patrons were Bob Dylan, Van Ronk, Shel Silverstein, Judy Collins, Woody Guthrie, Pete Seege, Odetta Holmes, Joan Baez, Mary Travers and Camille Cosby.
6. In the late 1970s, he opened The Conrad Shop in Stowe, Vermont.
7. On July 14, 1964, his father died in New York at age 74.
8. In 1985, he graduated from Johnson State College with a bachelor’s degree in sociology.
9. On April 26, 1986, his mother died in Providence, Rhode Island at age 86.
10. In 1995, he met Arthur.
11. In November 2006, he was diagnosed with lung cancer.
12. On June 30, 2006, he turned 75.
13. On January 4, 2007, he died of end-stage lung cancer at Copley Hospital in Morrisville, Morristown.