Navy Veteran, Retired Greenwich Police Capt. James Gleason Jr., 79

Retired Greenwich Police Capt. James Francis Gleason Jr. passed away on Nov. 11, 2013. He was 79.

He was born on June 23, 1934, a son of the late Mary Frances and James Francis Gleason Sr.

Jim attended St. Mary Grammar School and graduated Greenwich High School in 1952. After high school he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served on the battleship USS Wisconsin during the Korean War and then the submarine USS Croaker based in Groton. He was very proud to be a submariner.

He then went on to become a police officer for the Town of Greenwich. During his career he had a special undercover assignment working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and also commanded all events requiring the presence of police honor guard and coordinated every parade. His military bearing provided him as lead unit in this regard. He retired from the force after 37 years and 8 months with the rank of captain. While with the police force, Jim attended Northwestern University for traffic administration as well as numerous police administration courses.

He was a retired member of the Police Association of Connecticut, United States Submarine Veterans Holland Club, life member of the United States Submarine Veterans, USS Wisconsin Association, VFW Post 1792, and the Greenwich Boat and Yacht Club. Jim loved boating and fishing on Long Island Sound and riding his bicycle at home and while on vacation.

Jim is survived by his wife of 56 years, Barbara Riith Gleason; sister Virginia M. Reynolds of Greenwich; Brother Kenneth J. Gleason and wife Donna of Islamora, FL, several nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, sister and brother in laws; Frances & Robert Mathieson, Robert and Patricia Riith, Karen and Donald Landers, Kathleen Duffy and two special lifelong friends Dominick and Evelyn Frano. 

Family and friends are invited to visit at the Castiglione Funeral Home, 134 Hamilton Ave., Greenwich, on Thursday, Nov. 14, from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 15 at St. Timothy Chapel, 1034 North St., Greenwich. Entombment will follow in St. Mary Cemetery.

To leave an online condolence, please visit www.castiglionefh.com. Donations can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517 Topeka, KS 66675.