The man who started the Conrad's Tire chain.. the chain that uses a woman whispering "Conrad's" in its commercials...has died.

Northeast Ohio Media Group reports that Ed J. Conrad Jr. died peacefully surrounded by family over the weekend at the age of 84.

Conrad started the chain with a store in Parma in 1969.

The chain now has 36 stores, mostly in Northeast Ohio.

---

On the Web: Northeast Ohio Media Group, www.cleveland.com