Irwin "Irv" Gellman

Irwin “Irv” Israel Gellman September 27, 1948 – October 28, 2025

Irwin (“Irv”) Israel Gellman passed away peacefully on October 28, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Born on September 27, 1948, Irv lived a life defined by kindness, laughter, and devotion to the people he loved. A proud husband, father, grandfather, brother, teacher, and friend, Irv was known for his big smile and generous heart. If he liked you—and he liked almost everyone—he would do anything for you. He had a wonderful sense of humor, loved to socialize, and brought warmth and positivity wherever he went. Above all, family was everything to him, especially his three beloved grandsons, Ezra, Hayden, and River. For more than 30 years, Irv dedicated his career to teaching special education in the Cheltenham School District. His patience, compassion, and creativity touched countless students’ lives. In addition to his public-school work, he taught Hebrew School during evenings and weekends and spent his summers as a camp director, helping young people grow and thrive. After retiring from Cheltenham, he continued to share his expertise by teaching future educators at several colleges. Irv was deeply connected to his Jewish faith and community. Being part of his synagogue brought him great joy, he was a past president of Melrose B'nai Israel Emanu-El | Elkins Park PA. He also loved tackling home projects—he really enjoyed fixing and building things himself. He is survived by his beloved wife, Rebecca Gellman; his children, Brad (Carly) Gellman and their sons Ezra and Hayden. Marni (Mike Sheets) Gellman and their son River; and his siblings, Dr. Marc Gellman and Debra (Brian) Zaslow. He is also survived by his nephews, Corey Zaslow and Mike (Lindsy) Zaslow, and Mike and Lindsy’s children, Samara and Juliet. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, October 30, at 11:00 a.m. (receiving beginning at 10:30 a.m.) at Goldsteins’ Rosenberg’s Funeral Directors, 6410 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA. Irv will be remembered as a warm, funny, intelligent, and loving man who cared deeply for everyone around him. His laughter, generosity, and dedication to family and community will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.

Contributions in his memory can be made to the Amyloidosis Foundation: https://amyloidosis.org or https://secure.qgiv.com/for/?key=amyfound