Christian B. Gecewicz

Christian B. Gecewicz of Carmel, IN, passed away on November 12, 2025, at the age of 77. He was born in Marseilles, France, on October 1, 1948, to parents, Edouarda (Edda) Musial-Leczinska and Jean Gecewicz, who immigrated to France from Poland immediately following WWII. At the age of 4, Christian immigrated with his family to Québec City, Québec, Canada where he lived until the age of 17.

Before moving to the United States in 1972, Chris lived in and visited many South American countries, learning Spanish and working as a teacher of French. He was once a cabaret singer as well as a basketball coach in a girls’ secondary school in Colombia and a self-defense instructor in Ecuador. Later in life, with his family, he continued traveling, including visiting Europe several times and cruising the Panama Canal three times. Surprising even himself, he raved about the Alaskan icebergs following his last cruise.

Chris received a Bachelor of Arts from IUPUI and studied for his master’s degree in French linguistics at IU-Bloomington.

Christian’s greatest love was teaching foreign languages, and he enjoyed doing so throughout his life. During his career, he taught at DePauw University, IUPUI, and IU-Bloomington. He also taught private classes as well as classes for professionals working in area industries. Chris especially enjoyed teaching English to foreign hockey players on the local semi-professional teams and familiarizing them with American culture.

Following playing hockey as a goalie in Québec, Chris remained an avid hockey enthusiast and supporter of his favorite team, the Montreal Canadiens. For many years he enjoyed adding to his collections of team pucks, player cards and hockey sticks.

In 1978, Chris and his wife launched a foreign language translation service for Hoosier businesses looking to expand their markets overseas. During its 46 years, the International Bureau of Translations, Inc., translated and interpreted 64 different languages for its U.S. clientele.

A devoted husband and loving father, Christian is survived by his wife of 51 years, Demetria Marcella (Groce), and their son, Christopher Gecewicz of California. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edouarda (Edda) Musial-Leczinska and Jean Gecewicz, and his sister, Lydia Chencinska.

In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to the Mast Cell Disease Society, who funds research for Systemic Mastocytosis, which is now becoming more prevalent in children around the world.