Michael was heavily involved with HRCF now the Human Rights Campaign, ran for Congress and used to live in German Village. His family owns Swan Cleaners in Columbus.
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Michael Gelpi dies
by Cynthia Laird
Michael Gelpi, a leatherman who was one of the first out gay candidates for Congress, died in his sleep at his San Francisco home Sunday, January 23. He was 70.
Friends said that Mr. Gelpi suffered from heart and lung disease.
Mr. Gelpi was born in Ohio on December 28, 1940. He was raised there and early on developed a passion for fine art.
A proud Democrat, Mr. Gelpi was very involved in the Human Rights Campaign Fund (the organization later became the Human Rights Campaign) in the 1980s and 1990s, said spokesman Paul Guequierre. Mr. Gelpi ran for Congress in 1990 but lost to Congressman John Kasich, a Republican. Kasich became Ohio's governor this month.
Friends recounted that Mr. Gelpi excelled in business and was once president of a large cancer foundation in Ohio. He moved to San Francisco in the early 1990s and later became the owner of Treasure House Miniatures in San Francisco.
He was very proud of his work within the civil rights movement and he remained passionate about politics throughout his life.
Clean and sober for 25 years, his love for and work within the recovery community was his gift. After Mr. Gelpi came to San Francisco he became a proud member of the San Francisco leather community and was a staunch supporter of many leather charitable causes and organizations.
He was the loving guardian of a variety of pets over the years. His last four-footed and feathered friends, Tracy and Lily, will surely never forget their lives with him, friends said. A gifted interior decorator, he was known for his good taste and his skill at gracious entertaining.
Mr. Gelpi was also active in his church, Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church. He helped with the hunger program on Wednesdays, and he did outreach to Catholics who had separated from their faith and fellowships. His "Reconnect" programs were valuable to all in attendance. There will be many who will miss Mr. Gelpi but especially his dear friends of a lifetime, particularly those he came to know as his "Tuesday night dinner bunch."
Mr. Gelpi will be laid to rest in Columbus, Ohio after the San Francisco services. There will be Vespers on Friday, January 28 at 7:30 p.m. and a funeral service on Saturday, January 29 at 2 p.m. Both will take place at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 100 Diamond Street at 18th. All are welcome.
From the Columbus Dispatch
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