Richard E. Gellott

Richard E. Gellott December 19, 1927-June 3, 2020 Richard Edmond Gellott was born on December 19, 1927, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the son of Joseph E. and Margaret (Jasinski) Gellott. Richard’s Catholic faith was nurtured by his parents as well as his early education at Holy Ghost Grade School and St. Francis Minor Seminary. In 1945 he enrolled at Marquette University. His education was interrupted when he was drafted under the World War II-era draft. Richard served in Korea in the army of occupation from 1946-1947. That year was a formative one. On the army base in Pusan, Korea, Richard got a job at the radio station. Upon his return to Milwaukee and Marquette he changed his major to Speech/Radio Broadcasting. His military service qualified him for the GI Bill, becoming the first person in his extended family to graduate from college. He benefitted from a VA mortgage, allowing Richard and his wife Monica to buy their first home. A VA benefit allowed him, these last three years, to live in comfort and dignity in assisted living. While in Korea, Richard went to Japan on R&R leave, and visited Nagasaki, the site of the second atomic bomb. This made a profound impression, and led to his lifelong commitment to peace and justice. At Marquette Richard met Monica Weber. They were married on September 15, 1951, and enjoyed fifty-three years of married life. The two initially lived in Janesville, Wisconsin, where Richard worked at the local radio station. They moved to Monica’s hometown of Ypsilanti, Michigan; where they raised their seven children. Richard went to work at General Motors in 1952. He loved the GM Building on West Grand Boulevard in Detroit, and was proud to show it off to his family on Sunday afternoon excursions into the city. The family lived for a time in Berkeley, Michigan. Late in his career with GM, Richard was transferred to Sandusky, Ohio, relocating to Huron, and subsequently Perrysburg, Ohio, where Richard lived until 2018 when he moved to The Waterford at Richmond Heights, Ohio. Richard used his beautifully-trained radio voice in the service of his parishes as a reader/lector over many decades: first at St. John’s in Ypsilanti, then Shrine Parish in Royal Oak, St. Peter’s in Huron, and St. Rose in Perrysburg. He and Monica traveled together in retirement: to the Bahamas, to London, Paris, and Vienna. Richard enjoyed watching sports: the Detroit Tigers and the Green Bay Packers; listening to classical music and Frank Sinatra; and watching DVDs, his collection worthy of a public library. Richard was preceded in death by his beloved wife Monica, on December 1, 2004. He was predeceased by his parents: sister Lorraine Leister; and nephew and niece, Mark and Mary Leister. Richard is survived by his children: Laura Gellott, Racine, Wisconsin; Jane (Phillip Gleason), Sterling Heights, Michigan; Mary Gellott, Old Hickory, Tennessee; Paul (Rosie) Gellott, Mayfield Heights, Ohio; Catherine (Mark) Mayer, Vermillion, Ohio; Philip (Judith O’Connor), Overland Park, Kansas; and Barbara (Timothy) Petee, Perrysburg, Ohio. Further survived by fourteen grandchildren: Andrea (Matt) Simmons, Erin Gleason, Joseph (Becky) Gellott, Rebecca (Eric) Simna, Michael Gellott, Jonathan (Sarah) Gellott, Sally (Mike) Errico, Nicholas (Heather) Law, Scott (Sarah) Law; Racheal (Tim) Swanson; Victoria Gellott, Anna Gellott, Madeline (fiancé Tyler Leonard) Petee, and Andrew Petee. Further survived by nine great-grandchildren: Monica Simmons, Alexander Gellott, Brian Simna, Cate and Michael Errico, Holly and Calvin Law, Carlee Law, and Timothy Swanson. Richard is also survived by nephews David and Scott Leister; Mike, Ted, Kevin and Rick Weber; brother-in-law Ted Weber; and special Perrysburg friends: Dorothy Beyer, CJ and Gerri Smith, and Judy and Greg Slee. Richard has entered into the Eternal Life promised by his faith. The Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated on June 9, 2020, at St. Rose Parish, followed by a burial in St Rose Cemetery, Perrysburg. Please feel free to watch the Mass live streamed at 11:15 AM by visiting https://venue.streamspot.com/event/MjIzMjIyNw== .