Obituary of Robert A. Gleason

Robert “Bob” Arthur Gleason, Jr. of Essex, CT passed away on January 2, 2023, at the age of 90. Born in Newton, MA, Bob grew up in West Newton, MA. Following his graduation from Baldwin Wallace College in Berea, OH, he served in the army with the Central Intelligence Corp in Southeast Asia, was a sales representative for Union Carbide both in the US and throughout Africa, and then a part owner of Eurpac Service, Inc., a military sales company. Residing in the Philippines, Germany, and the UK for a total of 13 years, he returned to the US in 1976, residing in Essex, CT, from then until the present. Until his retirement in 2007, he was the owner of Jack’s Liquors, Westbrook, CT. Although he had traveled to many places throughout the world, his favorite place to return to was Crescent Beach, Mattapoisett, MA. He was an avid sports fan, loved to travel, and, most importantly, loved his family. He is survived by his wife, Sheila, of 59 years; and his three children: Capt. Eric S. Gleason (USCG, ret.) of Pensacola, FL (wife Andrea and son Ryan of Allentown, PA), Paul Gleason of Seattle, WA (wife Melissa and daughters Sydney and Haydn), and Kristen Gleason-Long of Kennewick, WA (husband Nick, sons Aiden and Phinehas and daughter Cora); as well as his sister-in-law Beverly Gleason of Mattapoisett, MA, brother-in-law John L. McLaughlin III, Swampscott, MA, several nieces and nephews, and many close friends both near and far (Switzerland and UK). He was predeceased by brothers Donald Gleason (sister-in-law Kate) of Scottsdale, AZ, and brother Russell Gleason of Mattapoisett, MA. At his request, services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Visiting Nurses of the Lower Valley, 61 Main St. #5, Centerbrook, CT 06409, or Essex Ambulance Association, 149 Dennison Rd., Essex, CT 06426.