Ira Paul Gorelick

Belmont, North Carolina

Ira Paul Gorelick, 74, passed away peacefully with his family at his bedside on March 29, 2026, after a brave battle with Mesothelioma.

Ira was born on April 11, 1951 in Chicago, IL (Albany Park). Ira's family relocated to Los Angeles in 1954 where Ira grew up. He spent his childhood camping and surfing. He was active in the youth group at Anshe Emes Synagogue, becoming a Bar Mitzvah in 1964. He also spent many weekends and summers working with his father in the auto salvage business which culminated at A Auto Salvage 1963-1967. Ira was a superb handyman and grease monkey; displayed an early interest and capability tinkering with electronics; and was a computer expert who was the proud owner of an Apple II+ computer.

Ira led a very full and interesting life. He volunteered for the US Army during the Vietnam War, serving as a Chaplain Assistant 1970-1971. He finished his service in Frankfurt, Germany; and remained afterward working for American Express in Germany, and as an expat in Crete, Greece. Ira returned to Los Angeles in 1973 to earn his undergraduate BA degree in Communications at UCLA in 1976, and his postgraduate MA degree in Communications Management at the USC Annenberg School of Communications in 1978. Ira built on his education through a 35-year career with GTE/Verizon 1978-2012; primarily in product development, data communications, and wireless consumer marketing.
Additionally, Ira was a Communications Professor at Chapman University, University of Phoenix, and the Keller Graduate School of Management at DeVry.

In retirement, Ira trademarked @lantis for his Learning Community . He also authored numerous books. Please visit Apple Books and search for Author Ira Gorelick to download any of his books for free. Communication was his passion which he exemplified as a lifelong educator and writer. Ira was also an avid runner, completing three marathons,
multiple half-marathons and countless Peachtree Road Race 10K races. He was a wonderful photographer, documenting milestones in his children's lives, and capturing memories from his worldwide travels. His greatest accomplishment was his marriage to Annette and being a father to Paul and Jillian.

Ira was predeceased by his mother, Selma Kamm Gorelick, and his father, William Gorelick.

He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Annette (Giovenco) Gorelick; son, Paul Gorelick (Jess); daughter, Jillian Kamiyama (Go); grandson, Casper Kamiyama; granddaughter, Sana Kamiyama; sister, Ellise Seelig (Philip); nephews, Joel Seelig and Harry Seelig; and many beloved cousins.

For those who wish to honor Ira with a donation, the family suggests: Media Literacy Now https://medialiteracynow.org/
Junior Achievement https://jausa.ja.org/

Condolence messages may be made online at www.mcleanfuneral.com.

McLean Funeral Directors of Gastonia is serving the Gorelick family.