1865 – 1939 (July 2)
Richard Anthony Gleason was born in Radnor Township, Pennsylvania, on February 7 1865, to Denis Gleason and Julia Connelly. He entered the novitiate at Villanova on February 2, 1882, and made his profession of vows on February 2, 1883. He was solemnly professed on May 4, 1886, and was ordained to the priesthood on October 10, 1888 in the Cathedral of Philadelphia.
Following ordination, Father Gleason served at Villanova College. In 1900 he was assigned to Saint Nicholas of Tolentine Parish, Atlantic City, New Jersey. He was then appointed to the Province’s Mission Band with residence on Staten Island, New York. There followed assignments to Saint Mary’s in Lawrence, Massachusetts and then to Saint James, Carthage, New York. In 1929 he was appointed to Immaculate Conception, Hoosick Falls, New York.
Father Gleason died in Philadelphia’s Misericordia Hospital on July 2, 1939 at the age of 73. He was buried in the Community Cemetery at Villanova, following a Requiem Mass on July 5th at Saint Thomas of Villanova Church.
Father Gleason was a thoughtful and kindly gentleman with a cheerful disposition.