Beloved Glen Ridge Resident's Funeral Attracts Huge Crowd

The wake for Glen Ridge resident Daniel Gleeson was scheduled to last until 8 p.m. on Wednesday night, but by 8:30 p.m. the line snaked around the corner and stretched a full city block down Grove Street.

"It's because he was such a young man, only 45 years old," explained Frank Catalano, apprentice Funeral Director at Caggiano. "He left behind four young children."

Michael Caggiano, the Director of The Caggiano Memorial Home, acknowledged that the crowd that gathered yesterday from mid-afternoon to nightfall for Gleeson's wake was unusual, "very large," but explained that he is not at liberty to discuss particulars.   

Gleeson's death on Sunday morning, July 18, 2010 was a shock to his family and friends. Gleeson's nephew, Liam Gleeson, 17, of Randolph New Jersey (formerly of Glen Ridge) was in attendance for the visitation at the Caggiano Funeral Home on Wednesdsay. "I don't know the medical terms, but his death was unexpected," Liam said simply. Added Glen Ridge resident Steven Zawacki, "He died in his sleep."

A beloved member of the Glen Ridge community, Gleeson worked as a bank officer, according to the funeral home.  Wednesday's outpouring of love and support showed clearly how much this man had touched people's lives, both professionally and personally.  As his friends, family, and colleagues waited patiently in line on a sweltering 95-degree afternoon, it was clear that Gleeson was a wonderful family man and exceptional human being.

An obituary printed in the Star Ledger on July 20, 2010, read, "Danny was . . . a constant fixture in the backyards and playing fields of Glen Ridge, Danny's white blonde hair and youthful exuberance were easily recognizable. However, his cheerful spirit and infectious optimism were his most memorable and lasting traits. These qualities, along with his wonderful smile, helped make Danny the ideal person to work with, to share a story with, and to laugh and cry with. His legacy will be that he cherished and shared deep connections with family and friends, never hesitating to put another person's concerns ahead of his own."

At 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, the Mass of Christian Burial took place, which was  followed by a private interment.

Daniel Gleeson, 45, is survived by his wife of 16 years, Marybeth (Maher) and four children: Daniel, Owen, Dylan and Maggie. In lieu of flowers, please send checks to The Gleeson Family Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 951, West Caldwell, New Jersey, 07007-0951. Contributions will go directly toward the education of Gleeson's four young children.