Bertrand M. Gelinas: Lifelong Woonsocket Resident, Cercle Laurier Founding Member

Bertrand M. Gelinas, 95, formerly of Front St., Woonsocket, died Sunday evening at St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester, according to Menard-Lacouture Funeral Home.

Born in Woonsocket, he was the son of the late Donat and Georgina (Valois) Gelinas. Mr. Gelinas was a lifelong resident of Woonsocket. He moved to Worcester several years ago to live with his son and his family.

During his early working years Bert was employed in the local textile industry at several area mills including the French Worsted.

He was employed as a truck driver for Railway Express for over 27 years and then worked for the Woonsocket School Dept. for many years before retiring in 1980.

Bert was a founding member of the Cercle Laurier when the club was established in 1940. He remained an active Life Member of the Cercle Laurier and also enjoyed going to the Enrico Caruso Club in Manville.

He was an avid golfer and also enjoyed fishing.

When it came to hockey he was true to his French-Canadian roots as a fan of the Montreal Canadiens; but when it came to baseball he was a faithful member of Red Sox Nation.

He will be remembered as being a loving father and grandfather and loved being Grampa Bert to his great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Bert is survived by his son Ronald Gelinas, and his wife Nancy, of Worcester, five grandchildren Nicole Sacco, Kelley Fields, James and Kevin Keenan and Charleen Mullaney, six great-grandchildren, Alex, Timarie, Shawn, Jim, Mike and Arielle, and three great-great-grandchildren, Taylah, Shane and Jace. He also leaves his nieces and nephews, Madeline, Alan, Steve, Helen, Annette and Maurice and his great nieces who were very fond of their Uncle Bert. He was the brother of the late Eugene Gelinas and Hortense Lamoureux.

His Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday at 10:30 a.m. in Precious Blood Church, Carrington Ave., Woonsocket. Burial will follow in Precious Blood Cemetery, Rathbun St., Woonsocket. Visiting hours are Saturday morning from 9 - 10 a.m., prior to Mass, in the Menard-Lacouture Funeral Home, 127 Carrington Ave., Woonsocket.