Frederick A. Gleason '64
Frederick A. Gleason, 69, of Ludlow Street in Portland, died Sunday, Aug. 23, 2009, with his loving wife at his side, after competing against colon cancer, his toughest opponent in a lifetime of athletic challenges. He was born in Chelmsford, Mass. on April 18, 1940, the first son of Frederick and Eva (Greska) Gleason. He attended schools in Chelmsford, where he excelled in athletics, co-captained his high school football team to the state championship in the fall of 1957, and graduated in 1958. He continued his education at Maine Central Institute and then at Maine Maritime Academy, where he distinguished himself in both football and baseball. He was given national recognition for his football prowess in 1963 and graduated with a degree in Marine Engineering and a commission as an Ensign in the United States Navy reserve in 1964. He was employed as a licensed marine engineer by Moore McCormack Lines for 20 years, progressing to the position of Chief Engineer. These assignments took him to North and South America, Asia, Europe and Africa. He retired from his seagoing career in 1984 and then worked in several stationary engineering positions, and subsequently worked for B & M Foods, retiring in 2003. He met his wife to be, the former Mary T. Coyne, in 1973 and they were married in St. Dominic's Church on June 21, 1975. A man of deep simple faith, Fred was a faithful communicant of St. Patrick's Church in Portland, and he was proud to be a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus and a member of Council #101. Fred was a lifelong Boston Red Sox and New England Patriot's fan, and enjoyed trips to Boston and Foxboro. He was predeceased by his parents; and a brother Daniel Frederick A. Gleason in 1984. Fred is survived by his wife Mary of Portland; brothers, Robert Gleason and his wife Eileen of Lowell, Mass., and William Gleason of Tyngsboro, Mass. He is also survived by a sister-in-law, Sister Margaret Coyne, R.S.M. of Portland, brothers-in-law, Peter Coyne and his wife Helen of Kingwood, Texas, and Martin Coyne and his wife Lucia of Portland; and several nieces and nephews. Mary is very appreciative of all the support received from his many friends during this period. It was a great source of comfort to Fred. The family also wishes to extend its special appreciation to Doctor Roger Inhorn, and Dawn, his wonderful nurse, and the entire Oncology staff at Mercy Hospital for the compassionate and professional care given to Fred during his illness. Visiting hours will be held from 4-8 p.m. on Wednesday, at Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. Friends and family are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial, with the Rev. Brian Hehir, a lifelong friend of Fred's from Chelmsford, as the principal concelebrant on Thursday at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick's Church, 1342 Congress St., Portland. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery, South Portland. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ctcrawford.com. In lieu of flowers, donations in Fred's memory may be made to: Mercy Oncology- Hematology Patient Resource Center 195 Fore River Parkway, Suite 360 Portland, Maine 04102
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