Obituary of William Gleason

William Campbell Gleason, II, age 81 of Ansonia, died peacefully in his home on March 30, 2020. Born in Minneapolis, MN on June 20, 1939, he was the son of the late William C. and Florence Lund Gleason. Mr. Gleason was raised in Minnesota and was a proud U.S. Marine. He attended Georgetown and the University of Minnesota, where he was a brother of the Chi Psi Fraternity and earned a B.A. Degree in Political Science and History. Mr. Gleason enjoyed a 30 year career as an Advertising Executive with Dancer Fitzgerald Sample Advertising Firm, among others, of Madison Avenue, NY. William also worked as District Manager for the East Coast with the Census. Following his years at the Census, Mr. Gleason then attended Southern CT University and earned his M.A. Degree in Teaching. He inspired many students while working as a history professor at Southern CT and Central CT State Universities. He retired from teaching in 2006. A man of great faith and devotion, he served as an altar boy in his youth and became a Eucharistic Minister at Saint Catherine of Sienna Church, Greenwich CT. He attended operas, plays, musicals, and other theater productions. He enjoyed all types of music, classical, Jazz, and his favorite, Frank Sinatra. He loved Yale University and attended many lectures, art, and music events there. William had a deep love of knowledge, books, and those Yankees. He was amazingly smart and had an unbridled curiosity to learn. Mr. Gleason is survived by three beloved daughters, Melissa Gleason of MN, Kathleen Brannan Gleason of WA and Meghan Elizabeth Gleason of New Haven, CT. He cherished his only grandchild, Colin Gleason Furtado of Vancouver, WA; sisters, Libby Hansen, Patricia Fogarty Molly Ingvaldson, and Bridget Bone; and brothers, Jack, James and Joseph Gleason, all of MN. He is also survived by several cousins, nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service in celebration of his life will be announced in the future. Memorial contributions may be made to The Muscular Dystrophy Association, www.mda.org. The Wakelee Memorial Funeral Home, 167 Wakelee Avenue, Ansonia, CT is in care of arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.wakeleememorial.com.