GELNAW William P., Sr., the unofficial mayor of every town in which he lived, passed away on November 6, 2016 at his home in Jupiter, Florida after a valiant battle with cancer. Bill was 84 years old. He was born on September 20, 1932 in Teaneck, New Jersey to Arthur and Anna Rae Gelnaw, and spent most of his life in the great state of New Jersey, growing up in Westwood and raising his family in Park Ridge. A talented athlete, Bill was the captain of his basketball and tennis teams in high school, and led Westwood to the state basketball championship his senior year. William was later inducted to the Westwood High School Hall of Fame. He attended College of the Holy Cross, and was class president his junior year as well as a varsity tennis player. Shortly after graduating in 1955, he married his wife Ellen (Gradley) and became an officer in the Navy for two years based in Key West, Florida. His experience in the Navy was one he would never forget and often discussed. He entertained family and friends throughout his life with stories of his ships and adventures, and viewed his service to our country as one of his greatest accomplishments. After leaving the Navy, Bill joined the Westwood Laundry and Dry Cleaners, a large family-owned commercial operation which served customers throughout the New Jersey and NYC areas, and later became its President. He had an easy smile, a warm and engaging personality, a positive and generous spirit, and a zest for life that was contagious. Bill's passions included his family, his community, his faith, the Boston Celtics, ice cream and conversation. He viewed community service as a privilege, and his contributions included coaching hundreds of youth (including his five kids) in baseball, football, basketball and softball, serving as the chairman of Park Ridge's planning board at a time when the town experienced dramatic growth (it is now the home of a number of Fortune 500 companies), serving as a lector at church services, and, without any fanfare, helping countless people less fortunate. The New Jersey shore was an important part of Bill's life, and he and Ellen owned a beach house which served as a family magnet for family for over 40 years. It was easy to spot Bill even on a crowded beach, as he was always surrounded by friends and family and in the middle of a story. After he retired, Bill and Ellen moved to Milton, Delaware and enjoyed creating new friendships there. He is survived by his wife and best friend of 61 years, Ellen, his five children, Mark (Kim), Bill (Michelle), Tim (Lisa), Rob (Chris) and Susan (Chris); and fourteen grandchildren: Chris (and spouse Angela), Katie, Ryan, Tyler, Samantha, Matt, Amanda, Harry, Hannah, Brendan and Colin Gelnaw, and Jack, Ally and Kelly Boyle. He is also survived by his brothers Donald and Kevin. William was preceded in death by his brother Arthur. The family is committed to carrying forth their patriarch's legacy. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, November 19, 2016 at 11:00 am, St. Christopher Catholic Church, 12001 SE Federal Highway, Hobe Sound, FL. Burial will follow at Riverside Memorial Park, Tequesta, FL. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be directed to the Wounded Warrior Project (woundedwarriorproject.org – please donate in memory of William P. Gelnaw, Sr.). Online condolences may be made at aycockfuneralhomejupiter.com.