Paul Campbell Gleason

Paul Campbell Gleason died on June 26, 2023, following 7 years of living with Alzheimer’s.  He was born in New Haven Connecticut on January 26, 1940, to Esther Wedell Gleason and Philip Joseph Gleason, Sr.  He grew up in Newton Massachusetts and attended schools there. An excellent student, he then attended Haverford University, Boston University, and New York University. He became a language teacher, a coach, a chess champion, and a businessman. 

He taught at the Belvedere School in Chelmsford MA, schools in Koblenz and Baden Baden in Germany and at the Pingry School in Elizabeth, New Jersey.  He became President of the firm his father created, Porcelain Patch and Glaze Corp. in Watertown, MA, until he retired to his island paradise, Great Diamond Island, CASCO Bay, Maine. 

There he devoted his time and treasure to studying, listening to a wide variety of music, painting watercolors, photography, boating in his classic wooden boats, studying languages, history, and astronomy, and transforming island properties in the cottage community. Paul loved wooden furniture, wooden boats, boxes, benches and houses, all of which he refinished to perfection. 

He leaves his devoted wife of 56 years, Nancy Arnold Markey, his son, Jonathan Philip Gleason of Ludlow, Vermont, and his daughter, Sarah Ross Gleason of Walpole, MA, who lovingly cared for him in his final months in her home.

He leaves 5 grandchildren:  Elijah Campbell, Paul Philip, Quinn May, Pryor Peter, and Isaiah Arnold, a sister, Sally Sciretta of Newton MA, his nephews James, Timothy and Matthew Gleason, Nicholas Sciretta, and many lifelong friends, especially Peter Meyer.

His brother, Philip Joseph Gleason, Jr (Chip), predeceased him.  

Paul loved to study and to pass along what he was learning.  He made figures and times in history come alive as he described them often with great wit and humor.    Paul devoted his retirement years to creating beautiful spaces for his beloved community on his island and his community honors him for that.

All of Paul’s funeral services will be held privately, with interment taking place in Blossom Hill Cemetery in Concord, New Hampshire.

Arrangements by James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, Walpole.