Leo Frederick Gelinas

Leo Fredrick Gelinas died April 16, 2012, at Manor Care Rehabilitation Center in Carlisle.

He was born in Holyoke, Mass., on Aug. 8, 1932. He was predeceased by his mother Yvonne Louise Gelinas and his father Leo Godfrey Gelinas. He is survived by his devoted wife of 59 years, Audette T. (Kitty) Gelinas; two sons, Michael V. Gelinas of Carlisle, and John F. Gelinas (wife Dana ) of Newville; daughters Kathleen R. Gelinas-Alzghier (husband Abdul) of Carlisle, and Cynthia A. Gelinas-AL-Qawasmi (husband Adel) also of Carlisle. Leo is also survived by his brother Dennis Gelinas (wife Sandy) of Bristol, Conn. Leo was the proud grandfather of six grandchildren, the oldest Brandon L. Rice (wife Stephanie) of Baltimore, Md.; Christopher M. Jones, Brian N. Jones, and Rachel E. Jones of Carlisle; and Jean Luc Z. Gelinas and Natasha S. Gelinas of Newville.

Leo retired from the U.S. Army. He was a member of the 108th Field Artillery and an active member of the Gobin Guard. He spent 20 years in retail sales and worked as a sales representative for Metropolitan Life before becoming the CFO for Gelinas Associates Inc, in Boiling Springs. Following retirement, Leo and his wife traveled extensively and then came back to the area to open a bed and breakfast in the family home in Boiling Springs. Leo was fondly know around town as “the train manâ€Â after he built an extensive train layout in his backyard garden that became a focal point of interest for 25 years in Boiling Springs and was nationally recognized.

Leo was an active member of the Brethren In Christ Church on Walnut Bottom Road in Carlisle, and he loved to deliver flowers to shut-ins and the sick. Leo was an active member of the Boiling Springs Civic Association and served as the editor in chief of the Boiling Springs Gazette for 25 years. He also served as the Civic Association membership chair and treasurer for many years. Leo also served as treasurer of the Cumberland B&B Association and Cumberland Valley B&B Association. He was a contributor to the Cumberland County Historical Society, and he served as webmaster for the Carlisle Garden Club. Leo was recognized for his volunteer services at the Peabody Institute in Baltimore, Md. He was a retired member of the Lions Club of Boiling Springs. Leo was a longstanding member of the Allenberry Club and participated in some of their productions including “1776â€Â and the Murder Mystery weekends.

There will be a memorial service at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 19, at Brethren In Christ Church on Walnut Bottom Road in Carlisle, with Pastor Alan Robinson officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Brethren In Christ Church, 1155 Walnut Bottom Road, Carlisle, PA 17015.

A private family service and internment will take place at Indian Town Gap with full military honors.