Normand L. Gelinas

Normand L. Gelinas died on February 27, 2021, in Elliot Hospital, after a brief illness. He was 96 years old.

Born in Manchester on January 1, 1925, he was the son of Joseph and Yvonne (Caron) Gelinas. He was educated in the Manchester Catholic school system and Manchester Central High School. He left high school early to enter the military and completed his GED in 1952 at age 27.

Normand was a veteran of World War II. He was stationed in Belgium on the border with Germany as a 2nd Class Anti-Aircraft Gunner during the Rhineland Campaign. He then transitioned to the 10th Air Repair Squadron in England as a clerk typist where he completed his military service with the rank of Sergeant and was honorably discharged from service on April 25, 1946.

Upon returning from the War, Normand found employment with Western Union as a lineman and technician. He worked at Western Union for more than 40 years until his retirement on October 30, 1987.

On June 5, 1948 Normand married the love of his life Lillian Adams. In May 1954 they purchased their first home together in Bedford NH where they lived for the next 65 years. Together they raised two sons, Mike and Tom. He loved working around the house and it showed in his pride of ownership, he had the best looking yard in the neighborhood.

Norm enjoyed family most of all, sharing vacations at Hampton Beach and in the White Mountains. He especially enjoyed visits from his grandchildren and great grandchildren. It was a joy to see his face light up when they were in the room.

He was involved as a volunteer in Bedford Little League for more than 25 years coaching his sons and umpiring.

He was a communicant and founding parishioner of St. Elizabeth Seton Church in Bedford, NH and a faithful member of the League of 1000 Men of the Precious Blood in Manchester. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 5260, Manchester and Stevens-Buswell Post 54 of The American Legion, Bedford.

Normand is survived by his son Michael Gelinas and his wife Susan, his son Thomas Gelinas and his wife Nancee; and by his grandchildren Christopher Gelinas and Rebecca Gonzalez, Timothy Gelinas and his wife Tiffany, Nicholas Gelinas, Jenifer Groenke and her husband Joshua, Matthew Gelinas and his wife Hillary and his great granddaughters Olivia Groenke, Madison Gelinas and Lilly Gelinas.

Norm was predeceased by his wife of more than 71 years, Lillian T. (Adams) Gelinas, who died on November 22, 2019; his three sisters, Marie Biron, Helen Moquin and Gertrude Lavoie; and his brothers Fernand Gelinas and Andrew Gelinas.
The family would like to extend its gratitude to the staff at Villa Crest Nursing Home where he lived for the last 18 months.

SERVICES: Visitation with masks and strict social distancing will be held on Wednesday, March 3rd from 9:30 to 10:30 am at Lambert Funeral Home & Crematory, 1799 Elm St, corner of North St, Manchester. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 am at St. Elizabeth Seton Church, 190 Meetinghouse Rd., Bedford, NH. Committal Prayers with military honors will follow in the mausoleum at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Normand's memory to The Legion of 1000 Men, Monastery of the Precious Blood, 700 Bridge St., Manchester, NH 03104. To view Normand's Funeral Mass, please go to https://stelizabethsetonchurch.org/ and scroll to bottom right, "click to view live stream".