James A. Gelwicks

James Andrew “Jim” Gelwicks, age 69, of Fairfield, Pennsylvania, passed away on Sunday, October 4, 2026, at WellSpan Hospital in York, Pennsylvania. Born August 9, 1957, he was the son of the late Earle Robert and Donaldine Elizabeth (Hann) Gelwicks. He was the loving husband of Teresa (Smith) Gelwicks, with whom he shared 45 years of marriage.

Jim’s motto was, “The best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be,” and those words truly said it all. As the owner of construction companies, construction wasn’t simply Jim’s career—it was his life. There seemed to be nothing he couldn’t build, and he took great pride in his work and in creating things with his own hands.

Outside of work, Jim enjoyed hunting, fishing, kayaking, camping, knife throwing, and life on the farm. He also loved to cook and often said that “cooking was the language of love,” a philosophy he happily shared with those gathered around his table.

Above all else, Jim loved his family, especially his girls. No matter how much he enjoyed building, the outdoors, or the many things that kept his hands busy, his family was always at the heart of his life.

Besides his wife, Teresa Gelwicks, Jim is survived by his daughters, Shannon Amaral of Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, Jamie Harner and husband Chad of Fairfield, Michelle Anders and husband Jay, also of Fairfield, Angela Johnson and husband Steve of Gettysburg, Christina Hewitt and husband Eric of Fairfield, and Maria Gelwicks and friend D.J. Burrier, Jr., of Waynesboro; sister, Mary Anne Baker of Finksburg, Maryland; brother, Joseph Gelwicks and wife Sandra of Emmitsburg; 24 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

Jim was predeceased by his sisters, Joan Elower, Donaldine Singley, and Margaret Ridenour; brothers, Robert, Mark, and John Gelwicks; and brother-in-law, Donald Elower.

The family will receive friends at Myers-Durboraw Funeral Home, 210 West Main Street, Emmitsburg, MD, on Thursday, October 8, 2026, from 2–4 and 6–8 P.M. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Friday, October 9, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 47 DePaul Street, Emmitsburg, MD 21727. Interment will follow the Mass at Emmitsburg Memorial Cemetery.