Francis Gelzheiser

GLENMONT - Francis L. Gelzheiser died at home on May 11, 2011, in the warmth of his wife's and family's love. Fran was born in 1921 to Joseph and Josephine Morrison Gelzheiser in Pittsburgh, PA. He and his sister Marie spent much of their childhood at Saint Joseph's Orphan Home. Fran served three years as an Electrician's Mate in the US Navy on PT 221, Squadron 16, in the Pacific Theater of World War II. He journeyed to the Aleutian Islands of Alaska, facing 35 foot seas in a 70 foot wooden boat. Fran and his shipmates received Navy Unit Commendations for their heroic actions at Mindoro, which included the rescue of men from a troopship after it exploded from a Kamikaze hit. After his discharge, Fran entered the veteran's Accelerated Program at the University of Pittsburgh. He studied electrical engineering, and was elected to two honor societies, Beta Kappa Nu and Sigma Tau. He completed Westinghouse's Graduate Student Course and worked for Westinghouse until 1982. Fran was awarded 44 patents for circuit protective devices. The Bryant BR breaker, which he designed in 1960, is still the world's largest selling residential circuit breaker. Fran married his beloved Janet Louise Koach in 1952 and was ever her loyal, devoted friend and companion. They raised three children, Lynn, Bob and Ed, in Fairfield, CT. They were active members at the First Congregational Church, and enjoyed many good friends. Fran spent happy hours boating and fishing on Long Island Sound. Fran and Janet moved to Glenmont, NY in 2000, where they made new friends and enjoyed new volunteer activities. Fran was a lover of the outdoors. At 12, he and his buddies took cans of stew and walked out of town to camp for a week. He took his children camping at Lake Lillinonah, and when they were adults, joined them on hikes at places like the Grand Canyon and the wilderness of Montana and Alberta. At 69, Fran and Bob canoed the Allagash Waterway in Maine. Fran and Ed often visited Five Rivers and the Hollyhock Hollow Sanctuary, hoping to see a hawk, deer or fox. Fran was a curious and appreciative person his whole life. As a child and adolescent, he collected butterflies and moths, sketched and painted. All his life he raised flowers and he and Ed grew vegetables too. Fran was a gifted photographer and was known for his flower arrangements. For many years, he designed and executed seasonal displays for his church. Fran enjoyed projects like maintaining Bob's boat and wood working. He made custom tables for Janet, bookcases for Ed, decorative bird houses for his daughter Lynn and daughter-in-law Lynn, and frames for his son-in-law Wayne's beehives. Fran is survived by his loving wife Janet, his sister Marie Gelzheiser Gaver, his son Edward Lee Gelzheiser, his son Robert Paul Gelzheiser and daughter-in-law Lynn Angela Gelzheiser, and his daughter Lynn Marie Gelzheiser and son-in-law Wayne Metsch. Friends are welcome to call at Applebee Funeral Home, 403 Kenwood Ave., Delmar on Saturday, May 14 from 3:00 to 6:00 pm and to attend a memorial service at the First United Methodist Church in Delmar on Sunday, May 15 at 3:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the Salvation Army or to the charity of your choice.