John G. Gleason

March 9, 2014

John G. Gleason of Highland Mills died on March 9

Beloved husband of Helen for 60 years.  Survived by loving children Michael and wife Lauren, Catherine and Frank Sammon, Mary Ann and husband Douglas Schultheis, John G. Jr., and Thomas and wife Doreen, and grandchildren Adam, Lindsay and husband Peter Ramundo, Ashley, Morgan, Laurel, Eric, Tyler, Kelly, and Kate.

Dear Uncle John to a host of Sweeneys, Coyles, and Beauvais’. Originally from the Bronx, John served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, attended Oswego State Teacher’s College, and was a Woodrow Wilson Fellow at Fordham University.

His lengthy teaching career began with eighth grade English and culminated as English Department Chair in Spring Valley.  During those years, John also taught at both Orange and Rockland Community Colleges.  Upon retirement in New York, John returned to his beginnings in 8th grade English, indulging his love of teaching for nearly 10 more years in Ridgewood N.J.

A devoted family man, John was an assistant Scoutmaster, a long-time member of the Woodbury Ambulance Corps, and a Eucharistic Minister and CCD teacher at St. Patrick’s RC Church in Highland Mills. He was part of countless family camping trips celebrations and gatherings, and was Santa Claus for numerous neighborhood youngsters.

In addition to his wife, children and grandchildren, John is survived by brothers Joseph and wife Yuris Vasquez of Hackensack N.J., Thomas and wife Joan of Park Ridge N.J., and sister Mary Therese of Santa Barbara, Calif.

The family received visitors on March 11 at Quigley Brothers Funeral Home. A  Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Patrick’s Church, Highland Mills  on March 12, and was followed by burial in St. Thomas Cemetery in Cornwall.

Donations in John’s name can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org or 1.800.272.3900).