DOYLESTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA - Gary J. Lelli of Doylestown, PA passed away on Saturday, April 14, 2012 at his home with his family by his bedside. He was 72 years old.
Born and raised in Richmond, California, he was the beloved son of Kathryn M. Cleland and the late Nick Lelli. He is survived by his wife Nancy of 37 years, four children, nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Gary was a graduate of the University of Michigan and received a B.S. Degree in Aeronautical Engineering in 1961 and a M.S. Degree in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering in 1963. He was an ardent fan of University of Michigan sports, especially football. Golf was one of his favorite pastimes. Gary enjoyed golfing at Doylestown Country Club and other courses throughout the United States. He especially liked the time with his sons and annual golf trips with his buddies to Myrtle Beach and the Poconos.
Gary enjoyed a 40 year career with The McDonnell Douglas Corporation/The Boeing Company, where he worked in Long Beach, CA, Dayton, OH, Warminster, PA, and Patuxent River, MD as Director of Technology Marketing.
Gary's patriotism went beyond his work with the military. He was an avid student of WW II and the lives of the soldiers. His last European trip included a visit to Normandy and the outlying villages that were affected by the war. It was truly a pilgrimage for Gary. Gary will be remembered for his zest for life, love of his family and loyalty to his parents.
A funeral mass will be held at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 5175 Cold Spring Creamery Road, Doylestown, PA 18902 on Friday, April 20th at 9:30 am. The family will receive their friends from 9-9:30 am at the church prior to mass.
Cremation services were private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in Gary's memory to the World War II Foundation, c/o Richard Winters Leadership Project, 333 White Horn Drive, Suite one, Kingston, RI 02881 or www.wwiifoundation.org
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