James Andrew “Jim” Gelwicks, 69, of Fairfield, died Oct. 4, 2026, at WellSpan Hospital in York. Born Aug. 9, 1957, he was the son of the late Earle Robert and Donaldine Elizabeth (Hann) Gelwicks. He and his wife, Teresa (Smith) Gelwicks, shared 45 years of marriage.
Gelwicks owned construction companies and took pride in building with his own hands. His family said his work was a central part of his life. Outside of work, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, kayaking, camping, knife throwing and life on the farm. He also loved to cook and shared meals with family and friends.
In addition to his wife, survivors include daughters Shannon Amaral of Wellsboro, Jamie Harner and Michelle Anders of Fairfield, Angela Johnson of Gettysburg, Christina Hewitt of Fairfield, and Maria Gelwicks of Waynesboro; brother Joseph Gelwicks of Emmitsburg; sister Mary Anne Baker of Finksburg, Maryland; 24 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by three sisters and three brothers.
Visitation is scheduled for Oct. 8 at Myers-Durboraw Funeral Home in Emmitsburg. A Mass is scheduled for 10 a.m. Oct. 9 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, followed by burial at Emmitsburg Memorial Cemetery.