Thomas Louis “Tom” Gellenbeck, age 76, passed away on Thursday, January 13, 2022 at WakeMed Raleigh after a brief battle with COVID-19. Born on July 8, 1945 in Cincinnati, Ohio; he was the son of Ralph Clement Gellenbeck and Angela Schone Gellenbeck.
After graduating Xavier University with a Master’s degree in Marketing, he entered the US Army as a Second Lieutenant and was in Vietnam. He was very proud of his service to his country. After leaving the Army, he had several jobs and went back to school to get his Accounting degree. Tom happily worked in Corporate America for 25 years until he felt a calling to become an entrepreneur. In 1997, he opened a successful Jersey Mike’s restaurant with the help of his wife and son, Dave. When he wasn’t doing paperwork for the restaurant you could find Tom at the computer trading stocks or at his electric piano making music. He loved the Lord and lived his life as a true Christian always keeping God as his #1. His greatest accomplishment was his three children who he guided, loved deeply, and was so proud of every day.
He is lovingly remembered by his wife of 53 years: Margaret “Peggy” Moran Gellenbeck; their three children: Dave Gellenbeck and wife Hilerie Ray Gellenbeck, Julie Gellenbeck Harris and husband Gene Harris, and Lori Gellenbeck Nguyen and husband Michael Nguyen; their five grandchildren: Cailey Harris, Alona Harris, Brooke Harris, Logan Nguyen, and Addison Nguyen; two siblings: Donna Gellenbeck Richter and Linda Gellenbeck Newcomb; nine nieces and nephews: John Richter, Laura Richter Kobida, Lisa Richter, Sarah Richter Hunt, Heather Newcomb McKamey, Angie Newcomb Ferguson, Joey Newcomb, Maura Moran Berry, and Michael Moran.
Due to COVID concerns, a Private Memorial Mass for the Immediate Family Only will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. The family would prefer that friends show their support "in spirit" by watching online through the live stream option provided by the church. The Live Stream Link will be active on February 5th, 2022 by 10:55 am.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Tom’s memory can be made to the Catholic Parish Outreach Food Bank (hyperlink below).
If you would like to leave a favorite memory / story of Tom or a message of condolence to the Gellenbeck Family, you may do so below within "add a memory".
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