Paul Geli

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Paul Geli on April 30, 2025. Paul passed away peacefully at the ripe age of 91. Paul is survived by his wife Janet, their two living children Denis and Lisa, and their three grandchildren Antonio, Charlize and Elea. Paul will be remembered as a loyal, loving, and devoted husband, father, and grandfather. Paul was very smart, witty, intellectual, adventurous, kind and always appreciative. Paul was a consummate professional and world traveler. Paul will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Born in Brest, France on December 6, 1933, Paul was one of six boys. In September 1940, his mother traveled with the boys from Brest all the way to Mostaganem, Algeria. His father was in the French Navy and had been appointed to command a warship. The family lived in Algeria until the end of World War II, in 1945. At the end of World War II, his father escorted American ships from Wilmington, DE to France and fought alongside the Americans and allies to liberate France from Nazi occupation. Paul's fascination with American ingenuity during World War II would later lead him to first study and ultimately move to the United States.

After the War in 1945, the family moved back to France. Paul moved to Paris and concentrated on his academic studies. Paul was top of his class at Lycée Louis Le Grand in Paris. Paul continued to excel in Business School at HEC Paris (Hautes Etudes Commerciales) and Law School at Faculté de Droit in Paris. From 1954 to 1955, Paul studied Economics at Harvard University on a Merit Scholarship. From 1955 to 1957, Paul served as a Commander in the French Navy in Algeria during the Algerian war. Paul then spent three years as a Financial Analyst with ESSO in Paris. In 1961, he received the opportunity of a lifetime to work for the World Bank in Washington, DC. Paul never looked back, and loved working for the World Bank and living in Washington, DC. Paul met his wife Janet, originally from Iowa, in Washington, DC. through their dentist and mutual friend, at a jazz soiree organized at his house. Paul and Janet got married in 1969 in Des Moines, Iowa, and moved shortly afterwards to Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire. Paul and Janet had three children, Denis, Lisa and Laura.

Paul worked a total of 54 years for the World Bank, including 28 years as a regular staff member from 1961 to 1989. During his career at the World Bank, Paul worked as a Financial Analyst and Advisor and later as Assistant Director of Projects. He worked on industry, utility, infrastructure and transportation projects in Latin America, Asia and West Africa. Paul spent six years as Deputy Chief of Mission and Chief of Mission for the World Bank in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, in West Africa, where he lived with his family. From 1989 to 2015, Paul worked as an independent Consultant, mainly in the social sectors for the World Bank, and went on missions throughout Africa and the Middle East. Throughout his lifetime, Paul worked in a total of 38 countries and traveled extensively throughout the world.

When Paul finished working at the age of 81, he became a US Citizen. Paul spent most of his life living in Cathedral Heights, in Washington, DC, and the last 5 years at Riderwood Village in Silver Spring, MD. At Riderwood Village, Paul embraced the fitness programs, opened the pool every morning at 7am, became fit, and lost 50 pounds. He was in good health until the age of 90, and then suffered from congestive heart failure during his last year. Paul passed away peacefully, with his daughter Lisa by his side.

A memorial service celebrating Paul's life will be held on September 6, 2025 at 11AM at St. Albans Church, located at 3001 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20016. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Association. In Paul's honor, the family asks that you perform an act of kindness in his memory.