Eric Gelineau's Celebration of Life

My brother, Eric Gelineau, was diagnosed with a brain tumor at the age of 7. During his 25 year fight he had grace, love, compassion and humor that he shared with his family and complete strangers. His ability to be so happy while struggling and having so much pain has allowed him to collect so many friends along the way. Friends and family would tell you that he was always a joy to be around. They would tell you he had so many quirks that were humorous - from funny tees he'd like to wear, his Coca-Cola collection, making the largest rubberband ball that I've seen, watching the same movies over and over again...repeating the lines and still laughing. He always wanted to make others happy even through his struggle. When he was first diagnosed and we spent a couple of years at the St. Louis Children's Hospital he would make happy face pins for his nurses (he's such a flirt). He had a brush with fame at the Ronald McDonald House in St. Louis when Destiny's Child came to visit and he had a seizure...once he came to Beyonce asked, "Are you okay suga?" He had a huge grin, because he is always the flirt.
 


As I write this I'm sitting at Hospice House in Hutchinson, watching my little brother in his final journey. After his last round of chemo he let us know he is ready to be with his Grandma Krause, he doesn't want anymore surgeries and he is tired of fighting. As we tell him how much we love him and hurt as we see him through this final struggle, we also understand and find a bit of happiness in knowing how much he loved us and how much joy he brought to so many.
 

In honor of how much Eric loved life and how long he fought to stay with us we want to have a Celebration of Life.
 

We are all sad and will always feel this loss, but we believe Eric's joy, love, compassion, grace and humor should be celebrated.
 

Eric's final fight with his brain tumor meant lots of travel and expenses for my family. And instead of worrying about how expensive a service will be. I would like my family to be able to focus on Eric and trying to cope.
 

Everything must be paid upfront for his service and burial. This could range anywhere from $5,000 to $12,000.
 

Please, help us give a celebration worthy of my brother. And please leave your stories of your encounters with Eric below. He can still hear us and I would love to share them with him.