Neal Edward Gelinas
Neal Edward Gelinas passed away peacefully on June 12, 2024 with his daughters and friend by his side. Neal was 88 years old.
He was survived by his three children: Colleen Zapotichny(Russ), Kim Gelinas(Bill Hughes) and Karin Gelinas(Todd Bicknell): and his four grandchildren: Brenden(Lillian), Regan(Zahara), Kyra(Houston) and Caelin.
He was predeceased by his loving wife Maureen (2011) and his parents Edward and Cecile Gelinas.
Neal was a professional sales representative his whole working career. Neal met many people through his work that became lifelong friends. His final years in Edmonton were spent socializing at the Irish Centre, Legion branch #271, West Mount Smittys and St Andrews Centre where he resided since 2012.
There will be no funeral. The family is planning a private celebration of life when they can all be together.
The family would like to thank the wonderful caring nurses and doctors at the Royal Alexander Hospital and Capital Care Norwood.
“Uncle” Neal was a great friend to our family. I always think of him as being one of my 2 godfathers. He was the man my parents trusted to look after us if anything ever happened to them. When I moved away from home to go to college, he asked me to drop in on a friend of his to say hi. Little did I know he had called his friend, who managed a hotel, to tell him I could probably use a part time job. I walked out of that meeting with a job I didn’t even apply for! Thus started my 20 some odd year career in hotels. We lost touch for a few years, but happily reconnected via Facebook, and were able to see each other in person again a number of times. You will be missed Uncle Neal. I like to think that you, Dad and Uncle Chuck are sitting around laughing and reminiscing about the good old days. ❤️
My sincere condolences to the family, Neal was a great man and will be sadly missed, May He Rest In Peace 🙏
Neal made many friends at the Irish Social club. We shared many hours of laughter listening to Neal’s stories of his time posted in Goose Bay, Labrador, and his years as a sales representative.
A delightful man, well respected and who genuinely was always glad to see you.