Gerald H. Gleason

Gerald H. Gleason, 93 of Sharon, MA was born in New Rochelle, NY where he graduated from high school in January 1943. Enlisting in the US Army in February 1943, he served in the Infantry and Military Police in the European Theatre of Operations, and was honorably discharged as a technician grade 4 in February 1946 following the end of WWII.

After the war, Mr. Gleason earned a B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Following graduation in 1949, he joined The Foxboro Company, a leading international manufacturer of instruments and systems for process management and control. Originally hired as a Sales Engineer, he quickly rose to become a leader in the company's international sales division, spending many years traveling throughout the world.

In 1968, Mr. Gleason was elected a Corporate Vice President and until his retirement in 1990, was continuously involved in many phases of Foxboro's international activities. Among his last responsibilities were international sales and pricing policies, and negotiation and administration of international agreements. He was responsible for the negotiations of the Foxboro Joint Venture in Shanghai, one of the early modern Chinese/US partnerships.

Mr. Gleason served as president or chairman for numerous professional organizations, notably: International Business Center of New England, International Affairs Committee of the Scientific Apparatus Makers Association, and International Operations Council of the Machinery and Allied Products Institute.

Mr. Gleason was married to the love of his life, Madeleine for 60 happy years. Their shared activities included tennis, travel, sailing, and music. Mr. Gleason was also a curious technologist, staying on the leading edge, from amateur radio in the 1960s, early personal computers in the 1980s, to the internet, smart phones, and digital photography.

In later years, Mr. Gleason dedicated his life to providing care for his wife, who endured Parkinson's disease for 20 years. He joined online Parkinson's support groups, finding new friends to discuss helping loved ones and partners cope with Parkinson's, at the same time still managing to keep in touch with cherished old friends.

Most of all, Mr. Gleason enjoyed being around his family and friends. He was predeceased by his wife Madeleine and son Richard, and is survived by his son James, daughter-in-law Ellen, grandchildren Sarah and Michael, and four great grandchildren, as well as his brother Neil and his family.

Memorial Services will be held at a later date to be announced.