LEWISTON – Oriel Francis “Bud” Gellatly, 65, a resident of Suzanne Street, passed away Tuesday evening, Aug. 9, 2011, at Central Maine Medical Center, Lewiston. He was born Nov. 29, 1945, in Rumford, to Oriel David and Rena (Belanger) Gellatly.
He graduated from Mexico High School, Class of 1964. He attended Radio Electronics Television School, Boston, and graduated with a First Class FCC License. Upon graduation, he joined the U.S. Air Force and had extensive electronic training and worked in the Strategic Air Command at Barksdale Air Force Base, Shreveport, La. On Jan. 14, 1967, he married Joan Dorr, his high school sweetheart. They resided in Louisiana for the remainder of his Air Force career. After his honorable discharge, he returned to Maine. He was employed by Burroughs/Unisys Corp. for 25 years as a senior field engineer. Upon leaving the company, he started his own computer networking business. He ran computer cabling for 16 years before retiring in 2009 and turning the business over to his son. He coached and umpired for Elliott Little League in Lewiston for many years and also sat on their board of directors. He became a Master Mason at age 21 at Caddo Lodge, Shreveport, La. At that time, he was the youngest member they had ever initiated. Upon his return to Maine, he continued his affiliation with the Masons by joining Tranquil Lodge, Auburn. He was a member of all Scottish Rite bodies and was a 32nd degree Mason, Valley of Portland and a member of Kora Temple Shriners. He served as director of the second section for 11 years and was a trustee for Kora Temple. He was also a member of Put Stevens Royal Order of Jesters Court No. 107 and most recently served as director of that Court in 2011. He was made an honorary member of Royal Order of Jesters, Boston Court No. 103 in August 2011. He was also a member and past president of Androscoggin County Shrine Club. He was a member of Oxford County Shrine Club as well as Rangeley Shrine Club. He enjoyed all sporting events, fishing, hunting and snowmobiling, but his favorite was fall bird hunting. He also greatly enjoyed traveling and camping with his wife. He loved being with the grandkids and was so proud to attend and support their sporting events and activities.
He was predeceased by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Joan; his daughter, Wendy Campbell and her husband, Timothy, of Lake Dallas, Texas; his son, Jeffrey and his companion, Lisa Cote, of Bath; five grandchildren, Kier, Baylee and Sienna Campbell, Halley and Finn Gellatly; two sisters, Susan Dilworth of Long Island, N.Y., and Bonnie Galeota of Long Beach, Calif.; many nieces and nephews. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather, and will be missed by all.
Friends may call 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 14, at Pinette & Lynch Funeral Home, 305 Alfred Plourde Parkway, Lewiston, with a Masonic service beginning 7 p.m. A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 15, at the funeral home. Interment with military honors will be held 3 p.m. Monday at Greenwood Cemetery, Dixfield. Should friends desire, donations in Bud’s memory may be made to Kora Temple Building Fund – Restoration Project, 11 Sabattus St., Lewiston. To send an online condolence, please visit
www.lynchbrothers.com.