Irwin Gellen

Irwin Gellen of Woodland Pond, New Paltz died Tuesday, January 25, 2011 at Vassar Hospital. He was 87. He was born in Brooklyn, a son of the late Julius and Anna Greenstein Gellen. From 1944 -1946 he served in the United States Maritime. On June 22, 1947 he married Rhoda Silverman. a licensed Professional Engineer, for 28 years Irwin worked at I.B.M., Kingston. A member of the Quarter Century Club, he was a former President of the Ulster Chapter of The New York State Chapter of Professional Engineers. For many years he ran a consulting business, Irwin Gellen, P.E.P.C. An area resident since 1950, he was formerly of Schuler Lane, Lake Katrine. Irwin served as past President of Gateway Industries, was a member of the League of Women Voters, and was a member and past President of Temple Emanuel. Irwin belonged to the Merchant Marine Veterans of WW II and, as a licensed pilot, the Hudson Valley Flying Club. Beloved husband of Rhoda Silverman Gellen; loving father of Pamela Gellen and her husband Arthur Palmer of Chicago, Illinois, and Amie Gellen of Old Town, Maine; grandfather of Michelle, Adam and Sarah Palmer, Jacob and Ethan Shanley; brother of Morton Gellen of Florida; brother in law of Arlene and Bernard Sommers, Linda Wasserberger and Phoebe Gellen. Many nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services will be conducted at Temple Emanuel, 243 Albany Ave., Kingston on Thursday at 12:00. Interment will follow in Montrepose Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Temple Emanuel or a charity of choice.