Rev. Father William T. Gleeson
September 13, 1938 ~ February 7, 2018
Resided in:
Pueblo, Colorado
Father William Thomas Gleeson was born September 13, 1938 in Jersey City, NJ to James Francis Gleeson and Mary Elizabeth (Reidy) Gleeson. Fr. Gleeson was the youngest of four siblings, two brothers (James F. and John J.) and one sister (Mary P.). He attended Seminary at Immaculate Conception in Conception, Missouri, which he completed in 1966. Fr. Gleeson was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Pueblo in 1966 at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Newark, NJ by Archbishop Thomas A. Boland of Newark.
Fr. Gleeson began his service to the Diocese of Pueblo at St. Mary Parish, Montrose where he was Assistant Pastor for two years. In 1968 he was appointed Assistant Pastor at St. Pius X, Pueblo. Fr. Gleeson went on to serve at St. Mary, Las Animas for 10 years, after which he was Pastor at St. Mary, Walsenburg. He spent a brief time in Aguilar as Pastor (2 years), returning to Pueblo assigned to Christ the King, along with appointments to the Clergy Personnel Committee, the Diocesan Cemetery Board, and the Financial Advisory Council. In 1995 Fr. Gleeson became Pastor to St. Joseph, Capulin, along with its mission parishes, where he remained until 2001. His next assignment was at Sacred Heart, Alamosa for six years before his final appointment to St. Joseph, Pueblo, where he served until his retirement from active ministry in January, 2013.
Fr. Gleeson remained active in the Diocese after his retirement. He could often be found celebrating Mass at the parishes to which he was connected. Fr. Gleeson was an avid Broncos football fan and could always be heard singing or humming joyfully to himself. He was a source of good nature to all those he knew; upbeat, social, and of bright spirit. Viewing, 3 to 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 12, followed by the Vigil service at 6:00 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. Tuesday, February 13. The viewing and services at Sacred Heart Cathedral, 11th Street and Grand Ave. Burial rites at Roselawn Cemetery. Lunch reception at Sacred Heart Cathedral Hall following burial rites. Online condolences, www.montgomerysteward.com
By chance, I just learned of Father Gleeson’s passing. I knew Father Gleeson (Bill) before he became a priest. We were both members of St. Patrick’s Cadets drum and bugle corps in Jersey City, NJ back in the 50’s. I lost contact with him shortly after he left to become a priest.
I always remember him as having a perpetual happy smile, and as the source of a good joke. I’m sure that he is at peace, but I doubt that he is resting.
Godspeed, Bill.
So sorry to hear the news. My condolences.
I was saddened to hear Fr. Gleeson had passed. My family & I loved it when he gave services at St. Anne’s. I will miss his wonderful voice, jokes and happy smile. My last words to him were, “You make me happy”.
We were saddened to hear of his passing. We are with you, his family all in prayer. A very happy person, and a friend to all who met him.
Dear Family of Bill
Sorry to miss Memorial and Mass. I just heard about this . Bill was a wonderful – happy – priest. The world needs many more like him. Resting in “peace” does not suit him well/ I hope he stays active in the great beyond.
We are saddened to learn of the passing of Father Gleeson. He was such a good friend to all of us at Benet Hill Monastery. It was a pleasure to work with him at various times in the diocese. Always so joyful. He will be missed by many. Our prayers of sympathy to his family and to his brother priests.
I am very saddened by the loss of such a good man and priest. Father Gleeson, Padre what he wanted me to call him after the first time, had a very positive influence on my adolescence and teen years. As far as I am concerned saint William is befitting to this kind man. My condolences to his family and all who knew him. Rest in peace “Padre”.
Father Gleeson was a very special part of our family and will always be loved and missed until we meet again. His laughter, his booming voice, his infectious laughter will be sorely missed by all. May he rest in peace with the biggest smile walking hand in hand with our Lord.
I can’t exactly imagine Fr. Bill “resting” in peace. He probably is planning a party or two and gathering all his friends around! Joy was an integral part of his life.
I was privileged to work with him for 12 years in three different parishes, Walsenburg and its missions, Capulin and its missions, and Alamosa. Each of these parishes had its unique challenges and joys. Never a dull moment! More than anything else he CARED about people. That showed in everything he did.
Shocked and saddened to hear the news our great spiritual friend, fellow Broncos fan, and personal friend passed away.
We met Father Bill when he came to Christ the King Parish in Pueblo, CO in 1985. At the time, I was with the police department and he managed to get me involved in some of the most precarious positions I could ever imagine. He summoned me to the parish one afternoon right after my shift. I was still in uniform and when I arrived, he asked me to climb up and climb around the very high and large crucifix on the church alter to drape are very large covering over the cross. The picture of a uniformed police officer crawling on and around the crucifix with Jesus was to say the least “spiritual.”
At the time, Ida and I had not been married by the Catholic church but only by a justice of the peace. We hadn’t been confirmed either. Our youngest daughter Julie, was set to be baptized that same year. Because Father Bill found it in his heart, the weekend Julie was baptized, Father Bill married us in the church, and allowed us to be confirmed. When Julie passed away in 1991, Father Bill with Father Bill Huber celebrated JuJu’s funeral mass.
During his 10 years at Christ the King, we became very good friends, to the point we shared season tickets for the Denver Broncos. When Bishop Tafoya transferred Father to the San Luis Valley where he was pastor of at least 4 parishes, we made it a point to visit often. We had the opportunity to visit and stay with him at his home in Capulin, CO.
“Padre” was a great influence not only in my life but to our entire family. He will be sadly missed…
R.I.P. dear sweet Father Bill. Hugs to his family and priests.What a blessing his priest ministry was.
Father Gleeson was the light of our church in Avondale, Colorado where he celebrated Sunday mass, when he could. The last Sunday he was with us was February 4th, when he celebrated for the first time the sacrament of reconciliation with 7 young males of our parish. They were so excited and nervous but Father Gleeson made so easy for them, he also let those seven young individuals stand with him at the alter as he consecrated the wine and host for mass up close and personal. That was special about Father Gleeson and will be surely missing by myself, the children of the parish, our parish members and the the town of Avondale! Fly with the angels Father Gleeson and may all our loved ones who are with you look down upon us and watch over us always! I will miss your guidance and knowledge of our Catholic religion and of life, Rita Villegas-Samora, reconciliation and first communion religious teacher, Sacred Heart Chuch Avondale
Heaven gained the best with Fr. Bill Gleeson! While he was at St. Joseph in Capulin, he was such a huge support and such a dear friend to our family. Our two sons had been diagnosed with a terminal illness at a young age. Father spoiled them and they called him Papa. He bought hearing aids for the older one when his hearing started failing due to a brain disorder. He was invited to a birthday party at Pizza Hut for the younger one and he was not able to attend but he surprised us by having paid for the party expenses earlier. Then being so generous, he paid for a trip and all the expenses for the boys to Walt Disney World and we parents just had to pay for ourselves. Yes, we saw Christ in him and we will forever be thankful for his gift to this world! Rest in peace, Dear Papa!!!
Father Gleeson reflected his life with cheer and joy, and that has been my mother, Teresita R. Maestas’ remembrance of Father during his time at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Alamosa, Colorado. Mom is 95 and no longer has command of her speaking ability, however, I know how fond she is of Father Gleeson and how highly she often spoke of him. Their personalities matched very similarly living with joy and love for their fellow man & most of all the Good Lord. I also knew Father Gleeson and what a sweet person was he. May Father Gleeson rest in peace with our Heavenly Father. Deepest condolences to his family and friends.
Sincerely,
Teresita R. Maestas
& Family
Father Gleeson was a wonderful man. I will always appreciate how he helped me with a funeral service at First United Methodist Church in Pueblo. I appreciated his friendship and will miss seeing him around town.
I will miss Reverend Gleason, I loved his jokes at church his always smiling face.
My condolences to Father Gleeson’s family. I have fond memories of him at Christ the King in Pueblo, I thank God for his service and I know heaven gained another faithful servant.