Mr. Antonio Cortes Gellineau

Antonio Cortes Gellineau, known to his loved ones and friends as Tony, passed away on October 15th, 2024, at the age of 72 in Madison, Alabama. He was a beloved husband, brother, and father, survived by his wife of 28 years, Anne Martyne Riviere Gellineau, his brother, Standley L. Gellineau, and his two children, Hendryck Antonio Gellineau and Jasmyn Michelle Gellineau. Tony was proud, determined, and a lifelong learner.

Tony was born on May 20th, 1952, to Louis Watlington and Dorothy Francis-Marie Gellineau, a train operator and nurse respectively, in the Bronx. He went to the Bronx High School of Science and decided there that he wanted to be an electrical engineer. He pursued his dream and attended college at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering in 1974. He stayed at MIT for graduate school and graduated with a master’s degree in electrical engineering and computer science in 1976. While working in Texas at Schlumberger, He also received a master’s degree in computer science from UT Austin in 1986. In pursuit of his newfound passion for business and finance, he also received an MBA from the University of Rhode Island in 2006.

Tony led a long and illustrious career as a systems engineer for multiple defense contractors. He worked for Raytheon for over 25 years and spent considerable time with Lockheed Martin and Torch Technologies. Among his significant contributions were work on the Patriot missile system, the Kiowa warrior, the MEADS and THAADS missile defense systems, and the Zumwalt-class destroyer.

Outside of his professional life, Tony was an avid chess player, participating in multiple tournaments such as the World Open, and received multiple accolades throughout his life. His work in computer science led to a passion for computer gaming. He was deeply invested in playing EverquestTM and contributed significantly to multiple guilds. His gaming community found him a joy to be around. Tony’s love for computer games spread to his children, whom he enjoyed playing games with as well throughout his life.

Whatever Tony set his mind to, he could accomplish. He had a unique tenacity that drove him through any obstacle. He was a proud man, with a larger-than-life presence that was felt through his booming voice and hearty laugh. His legacy is one of lifelong learning and defiance in the face of adversity, instilled in his family, who carry his spirit always.

A Tribute -

"WORDS FROM A BROTHER"

MY BROTHER TONY WAS FUNERALIZED AT ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC CHURCH ON THURSDAY OCTOBER 24.

I DID NOT HAVE THE OPP0RTUNITY TO SPEAK DURING THE SERVICE, BUT I WANT TO GIVE MY TRIBUTE AND LET EVERYONE KNOW THE LOVE I HAD FOR MY BROTHER. 

IN 1997 TONY AND I SPENT TWO WEEKS IN NEW YORK CITY MAKING FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR OUR FATHER, LOUIS GELLINEAU AND OUR BROTHER, ARTURO GELLINEAU WHO DIED WITHIN TWO MONTHS OF EACH OTHER.

THOSE WERE DIFFICULT TIMES FOR BOTH OF US.

I REMEMBER TONY AND I SAYING TO EACH OTHER THAT WE COULD NOT HAVE DONE IT ALONE. WE NEEDED EACH OTHER TO GET THROUGH THOSE DIFFICULT DAYS.

WHEN THE VIET NAM WAR MEMORIAL WAS BUILT IN DOWNTOWN HUNTSVILLE, MY BROTHER TONY PURCHASED A BRICK THAT WAS PLACED ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE WALK WAY OF THE MEMORIAL TO COMMEMORATE THE SERVICE THAT OUR FATHER AND I GAVE TO THIS COUNTRY.

DAD SERVED IN WORLD WAR II AND I SERVED IN THE VIET NAM ERA.

TONY WAS PROUD OF HIS FATHER AND HIS BROTHER AND HE WANTED OUR NAMES TO BE ENGRAVED AND REMEMBERED ON THAT BRICK.

I ALSO REMEMBER MARTYNE, TONY’S WIFE, CALLING ME EARLY SUNDAY MORNING, OCTOBER 14, THAT THE NURSE JUST LEFT THEIR HOME AND SAID THAT TONY DID NOT HAVE LONG TO LIVE.

 I JUST VISITED AND TALKED WITH HIM A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO. IT WAS DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE THAT I WAS LOSING MY BROTHER.

NORMA AND I IMMEDIATELY WENT OVER TO THE HOUSE TO BE WITH HIM. HE WAS UNRESPONSIVE. 

I SPENT TWO AND A HALF HOURS IN THE ROOM WITH HIM. HIS BREATHING WAS RAPID.

THE LAST SENSE THAT REMAINS IS THE SENSE OF HEARING. I SPOKE TO HIM AND TOLD HIM ABOUT THE STORY OF THE THIEF ON THE CROSS, WHO ASKED JESUS TO REMEMBER HIM WHEN HE COMES AGAIN IN HIS KINGDOM. I TOLD HIM THAT JESUS SAW THE THIEF’S SINCERITY AND SAID TO HIM, “VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU TODAY, THOU SHALT BE WITH ME IN PARADISE. “

I TOLD TONY THAT HE HAD THE SAME OPPORTUNITY.

IF HE BELIEVED AND ACCEPTED JESUS AS HIS PERSONAL SAVIOR, AND ASKED FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF HIS SINS, HE WOULD BE SAVED AND BE SEEN BY GOD AS THOUGH HE HAD NEVER SINNED.

WE WILL SEE TONY AGAIN IF WE ARE FAITHFUL.

 I TOLD TONY THAT I LOVE HIM AND THAT I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING HIM AGAIN.

 HE DEARLY LOVED HIS TWO NIECES (OUR DAUGHTERS) DEBBIE AND ROBIN.

 LET US ALL PREPARE TO SEE HIM AGAIN. 

THESE ARE THE WORDS OF HIS FAVORITE HYMN THAT I SANG AT THE END OF HIS SERVICE.

 "HOW GREAT THOU ART"

WHEN CHRIST SHALL COME, WITH SHOUTS OF ACCLAMATION AND TAKE US HOME WHAT JOY SHALL FILL OURS HEARTS

AND WE SHALL BOW, IN HUMBLE ADORATION 

AND THERE PROCLAIM, MY GOD, HOW, GREAT THOU ART!

THEN SINGS MY SOUL, MY SAVIOR GOD TO THEE

HOW GREAT THOU ART, HOW GREAT THOU ART

THEN SINGS MY SOUL, MY SAVIOR GOD TO THEE

HOW GREAT THOU ART, HOW GREAT THOU ART

UNTIL THEN, LET’S BE FAITHFUL AND LIVE WITH THE HOPE OF SEEING TONY AGAIN.

HE PLANTED A BRICK FOR ME AND I'M PLANTING A TREE FOR HIM.

Dr. Standley L. Gellineau