Robert A. Gelinas, 92, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, November 10, 2022. Born in Springfield, MA Bob was the son of the late Albert and Alvena (Plourde) Gelinas. He was a graduate of St. Michael's College and Boston University School of Law. Shortly after graduating from law school Bob took and passed the Bar Exam. He entered the Navy, attending Officer Candidate School Newport , Rhode Island. In 1954 he married Judith Ann Marcure, the love of his life, and the next day they began the drive to Jacksonville, Florida for his next assignment at the Naval Air Intelligence School. After graduation Bob was assigned to an air squadron attached to the Carrier USS Essex, Pacific Fleet, Alameda, California as an Air Intelligence officer. Bob served in the Navy between 1953 -1957. He was a veteran of the Korean War.

Returning to Chicopee in 1957, Bob began his life's work as a member of the Springfield law firm then known as Bulkley, Richardson, Godfrey and Burbank. He later became a named partner of the firm Bulkley, Richardson and Gelinas. He loved the law and continued to practice and mentor colleagues well into his eighties.

Bob served as a special assistant Massachusetts attorney general, as a master for the U.S. District Court, and on various industry committees for the U.S. Department of Labor, including the Federal Wage and Hour Industry Committees - Puerto Rico.

Bob was an active member of his professional and local communities. He served as a trustee and chairman of the board of trustees of Holyoke Community College, as president of the Chicopee Community Center, as chairman of the United Way Professional Campaign Unit, and as a board member of Heritage Savings Bank. Bob has been honored for his service by several civic organizations.

Bob had a sharp wit, a calm, thoughtful manner and was an avid reader and gifted conversationalist. He had great friends. He enjoyed sharing the outdoors with loved ones: fishing, skiing and spending time at the family cabin in Plainfield, MA. Above all, Bob loved his wife Judy and the family they built together.

Robert is predeceased by his parents, sister Joan Guardione, daughter-in-law Regina Gelinas, brother-in-law Roger Denault and brother-in-law Colonel Richard Marcure. Robert leaves behind his loving wife of 68 years, Judith Ann (Marcure) Gelinas of South Hadley and their children, Lyn Ann Gelinas and husband Michael Stroman of Essex, MA, Dr. William R. Gelinas of Crystal River, FL, Dr. John R. Gelinas and wife Dr. Justine Gelinas of Boxford, MA, Michele Marie Langevin of Brunswick, ME, brother, Richard Gelinas and wife Mary of Chicopee, sister, Joyce Denault of Chicopee, brother-in-law Vincent Guardione Longmeadow, MA and sister-in-law Anne Marcure of Lake Wales, Florida.; grandchildren Sarah Orvin and husband Mark, Calyn Lindquist and husband John, Ian Gelinas and fiancée Shannon Wiseman, Anna Eaton and husband Kyle, Lee Stroman, Julien Langevin, Jacqueline Langevin.; great-grandchildren Charles and Lillian Orvin, and Arthur Lindquist and many nieces and nephews of several generations.

The family would like to thank the many who cared for Bob in the last years of his life, allowing him to remain at home: Marie, Bridget, Mandy, Bob, and Max, who cared for him at home, all those in and out of the house daily, as well as the South Hadley EMT Unit, Holyoke Hospital.

Calling hours will be held for Robert at the O'Brien Family Funeral Home, 33 Lamb St. South Hadley, MA 01075, from 4-7 pm on Friday, November 18th. Friends and family are invited to meet for a funeral mass at Saint Patrick's Church, 30 Main St, South Hadley, MA 01075, at 11 am on Saturday, November 19th. Burial to follow at Saint Patrick's Cemetery in Chicopee.