Obituary of William Gelineau

William Jack Gelineau of Eugene, OR, passed away on Feb. 10th, 2015 after suffering from an infection and multiple medical complications that culminated in a stroke. He was 85 years old. Jack was born in Duluth, MN on Feb. 12th, 1929. He graduated from Central High School in Duluth, after which he married his high school sweetheart and soulmate, Joan Blyth (Spalding) Gelineau in August 1952. They were married for 53 years until her passing in 2005, and had resided in the Coburg Hills outside of Eugene since 1993.After high school Jack went to college and earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1952 from the University of Minnesota. He then served in the United States Air Force from 1952 – 1956, during which time he and his wife were stationed in England. After returning from active duty, Jack went on to graduate school and earned a Master of Science Degree (Geophysics) in 1959 from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. He was employed in oil exploration by Texaco in New Orleans, followed by Union Oil Company of Canada in Calgary, Alberta, and later Union Oil Company of California (Unocal), in Pasadena and Bakersfield, CA. Jack traveled extensively for his job, and he and Joan were able to visit many different countries and experience many different cultures. While working for Unocal, Jack and Joan also spent 3 years living in Balikpapan, Indonesia.Jack was a wonderful, caring husband, father, and grandfather. He is survived by two loving daughters, Janee Gelineau-van Waes from Blair, NE and Jill Gelineau from Portland, OR. He is also survived by five grandchildren – Sara Shafii-Stier and Ryan, Ashley, Mariah and Alexandra van Waes, and a step-grandchild, Samantha Clemow. He is also survived by a brother, Ronald Gelineau, of North Bend, WA.Jack and Joan enjoyed nature and the out-of-doors, including camping, hiking and fishing. In his younger years, Jack also loved to play golf, and in his spare time he was a track official at numerous local and national track meets. He loved to watch football, and was an avid fan of the Oregon Ducks. Jack and Joan were members of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Coburg, OR. Friends and neighbors are invited to attend a memorial service to celebrate Jack’s life at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 14th. The service will be held at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church (2200 Coburg Rd., Eugene, OR), and will be followed by a reception. Memorial contributions can be made to some of Jack’s favorite charities, including SmileTrain, American Red Cross, and the Eugene Mission. Contributions can also be made to support the Very Little Theater in Eugene, where Jack and his family enjoyed many wonderful theater performances.