James A. "Jimmy" Gelgot

     It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Mr. James A. Gelgot, 76; a resident of Kingston, formerly of Miners Mills and North Wilkes-Barre; who entered into Eternal Life just before noon Sunday as an emergency patient in Commonwealth Regional Hospital, Scranton.

  Born on Wednesday, June 16, 1948 in Hazleton, Mr. Gelgot was one of three sons to the late Joseph and Julia (Augustitus) Gelgot.  He held the distinction of being the first baby boy born in the new Saint Joseph’s Hospital location.  Educated in the Hazleton schools, he was a 1966 graduate of the Hazleton Area High School.

     Following his education, which was during the height of the Viet Nam Conflict, Jim was drafted into service by the United States Marine Corps.  He traveled to Camp LeJune for military training but was then dismissed due to an orthopedic injury he sustained as a child. Despite this fact, he never gave up his patriotic spirit for his country.

     Upon his return home he gained employment with General Foam of Hazleton before acquiring his career as a lineman and construction engineer with the Cable T.V. Company/Gans Multimedia also of Hazleton; a position he held for some thirty-two years prior to his retirement.   

     After his tenure in telecommunications, Jim did not sit idly by.  He studied for and successfully earned his Commercial Driver License through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.  He later worked with the Offset Paperback Company in Laflin; and Keystone Blind assisting travelers at both the Dorrance and White Haven Interchanges for the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission's Northeast Extension.

     Uncle Jim, as he was best known to us, was an avid outdoorsman who loved the countless hunting and fishing trips he took over the years.  He loved taking Aunt Margie fishing on his bass boat he proudly made.  He took pride in the number of deer over the years along with the bear in Canada he harvested as his 50th birthday gift.

     In his spare time, he enjoyed exploring his iPad tablet; loved wood burning and truly enjoyed sharing his handmade creations with family and friends.  He also relished going out for breakfast at the Pittston Diner; Parsons Family Restaurant as well as enjoying pizza or waffles at the Amberdonia Restaurant in Kingston.  More recently, he enjoyed his visits to the Kingston Active Adult Center, where he participated in bingo and shuffleboard.  He enjoyed watching Penn State football, the Philadelphia Phillies; and given the day God called him home, he had a priceless view watching his Philadelphia Eagles fly at the Super Bowl!

     Devoted to his Catholic faith, he was a member of Corpus Christi Parish and loved worshipping at both the West Pittston and Harding locations.  Previously, he participated with the parish Social Concerns Soup Ministry and would often donate over 100 wood burnt ornaments to Social Concerns at Christmas and Easter for distribution to nursing homes and the home bound.   

     He and his beloved wife, the former Margaret Mary Morris, celebrated thirty-five years of married life together on November 24th last year.

     Uncle Jim is remembered for many things but mostly for his sense of humor, quiet demeanor, loving spirit and humble generosity which will be greatly missed by all of us who knew and loved him.  May he now rest peacefully in the hope and joy of our Risen Christ!

     He bid farewell to a nephew, Joseph Gelgot and two dear friends, George “Buster” Sanko and Henry "Hank" Turchanik.

     Left to cherish all the wonderful memories they keep of him in addition to his wife, Aunt Margie of Kingston are his brothers; Mr. Joseph Gelgot and his wife Joanne of Mountain Top and Mr. Gerald "Jerry" Gelgot along with his wife Rose of Drums; Five Sisters-in-Law; Three brothers-in-law and their families; Numerous nieces and nephews including Stephen Gelgot and his wife Michele; Stacy Osadchy and her husband Mark; Jerry Gelgot Jr.; and his “adopted nephew” Jay Lindsey; Many great nieces and great nephews including Joseph and Magdalen Gelgot.

      He also leaves behind countless friends and former coworkers who have been so good to him, including Paul at J.S. Sport; Bob Lehman and his dear friends in the neighborhood.

     There were so many health care workers who have assisted Uncle Jimmy over the years.  In particular Aunt Margie extends heartfelt thanks to Dr. Weber Wu; Dr. Fran Angelella; Dr. Matthew Berger; Dr. Glen Finney; Dr. Jeff D'Andrea, their office staffs; along with the medical staffs at both Moses Taylor and Regional Hospitals in Scranton; and Allied Rehabilitation in Kingston for the exceptional care shown to them both during his stays.

       Spiritually and in sincere friendship, loving thanks is also given to Reverend Monsignor John J. Sempa, Reverend Michael S. Drevitch; the staff of Corpus Christi Parish and the parish family for their unwavering care, concern, tending to Jimmy's spiritual needs and their continued friendship.  Thank you one and all.

     Funeral services for Uncle Jimmy will be conducted on Friday, February 14th with his concelebrated Funeral Mass at  11:00 a.m. in Corpus Christi Parish, Immaculate Conception Church, 605 Luzerne Avenue, West Pittston.  His Pastor, the Reverend Monsignor John J. Sempa and Reverend Michael S. Drevitch, parochial vicar, will serve as celebrants.

     Interment with the Rite of Committal will follow in Mount Olivet Diocesan Catholic Cemetery, Wyoming section of Kingston Township.  Those attending are asked to assemble directly at church Friday morning by 10:45 a.m.

     Relatives and friends may join the family for visitation and shared remembrances Thursday evening from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the John V. Morris Family Funeral Home Inc., 625 North Main Street, Wilkes-Barre.

     In lieu of floral tributes, the family would be humbled if those wishing to make a monetary donation in Mr. Gelgot's memory, kindly give consideration to the Social Concerns Committee of Corpus Christi Parish; 605 Luzerne Avenue, West Pittston, PA 18643.

     Those who might like to share an online memory or words of comfort may do so here on his memorial page.  Thank You.

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