William Thurston "Bill" Gleason Obituary (1924

APPLETON - William 'Bill' Thurston Gleason, 88, died peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family, Thursday, August 16, 2012. Born in Union, February 21, 1924, he was the son of William C. and Margaret Thurston Gleason. Bill grew up on his family's Union farm where he learned a strong work ethic and was schooled in the necessity of 'a Yankee ingenuity', necessary to survive during those depression years. He attended Union schools and was a 1942 graduate of Union High School. During his high school years, Bill was a multi-sport athlete, participating in Basketball, Baseball and Skiing. He excelled at ski-jumping and was never defeated in the cross country ski competition. On September 11, 1949, he married Rosalie A. Mank in Union. Upon graduating, Bill entered the United States Army, and after basic training at Fort Hood, Texas, he served with the 45th Infantry Division. He was actively involved with that Division in the invasion of France and Germany, and participated in the Battle of the Bulge. Returning to civilian life, he enrolled in the University of Maine at Orono, where he earned a Degree in Education. While in high school and prior to his military service, Bill worked with Grevis Payson Transportation in Union. After graduating from the University of Maine he returned to employment with that trucking company. In 1953, Bill's grandfather, Wilbur Thurston, asked Bill to help out at Thurston Brothers Casket Factory in Union. He never left that business, which for a time included Thurston Brothers Transportation, serving as President until his death. Over the years, he supplied burial caskets to funeral homes throughout New England and enjoyed friendships with many of the funeral directors he met. Bill regularly made deliveries to the funeral homes himself and was often accompanied by his wife Rosalie. For six years, he served as Coach of Appleton High School boy's basketball team. Bill supported athletics in area schools and was a mentor to many students including his own grandchildren. A registered Maine Guide, Bill enjoyed hunting, fishing, and skiing as well as gardening. He took great pleasure in often sharing the bounty of his gardens with friends and family. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Storer-Collins-Harding American Legion Post No. 110, Union. Other than his parents, Bill was pre-deceased by two sisters, Eleanor McAllister and Dorothy Peckham. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Rosalie of Appleton; his son Craig T. Gleason and his wife Gail of Union; his brother Richard Gleason and his wife Bernice of Union and Florida; three grandchildren, Carrie R. Gleason, MMA Cadet of Union, Nicole E. Glidden and her husband Shawn of Memphis, TN, Jon-David Thurston Gleason and his wife Teresa of Union; 3 step-grandchildren, Harmonie Hagerman of Gardiner, Lt. Autumn Ridell and her husband Michael, U.S.N. Retired, of Tamuning, Guam, Forrest Hagerman of Camden; two great-grandchildren, Ava Elizabeth Gleason, Kelsey Elizabeth Glidden; five step-great-grandchildren, Maize Grace Hagerman, and Delia Autumn Trott, Kyle, Conner & Sarah Williams; beloved in-laws, Elwin & Carolyn Mank, Mervyn & Gail Mank, Gloria & Frank Parker; as well as many nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends are invited to visit from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, Wednesday, August 22, 2012, at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland, where a memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday. Pastor Mark Adolphsen will officiate. A reception will follow at '104 Limerock'. Private family interment with Military Honors, will be in Pine Grove Cemetery, Appleton. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Storer-Collins-Harding American Legion Post No. 110, C/O Paul Doughty, 487 South Union Road, Union, ME 04862, or Make-A-Wish Foundation, 477 Congress St, Suite M1, Portland, ME 04101. To share a memory or story with Bill's family, please visit his online Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com. 2d:{"dateTime":"2012-0