Peter "Pete" Gillis Gleason, M.D.
January 9, 2021
MATTHEWS – Peter “Pete” Gillis Gleason, M.D. passed away peacefully Saturday afternoon, January 9, 2021 following a brief illness at age 95. Pete was born May 14, 1925 in Rochester, NY, the youngest of four boys of Harold Allen Gleason and Marion Norris Gleason.
Pete graduated from Harley School in Rochester, NY in 1943, after having also attended Christ School in Arden, NC his junior year of high school. He enrolled in the Navy V-12 program in 1943 and served active duty during WWII while in that program from 1943 to 1946, attending Hobart College from 1943-1944 and University of Rochester from 1945-1949 (BA from the U of R in 1946; and an M.D. from the U of R medical school in 1949). In 1949 he was commissioned as an officer in the Navy and did an internship at the Philadelphia Naval Hospital until 1950. Pete married the love of his life in 1950, Vera Grünthal Gleason. After their marriage they spent a year in Sweden where Pete was a Fellow at the Institute for Intercontinental Studies. In 1951 he was a resident at the Great Lakes Naval Hospital and then a radiologist on the USS Consolation hospital ship during the Korean War from 1952-1953. Following his service, he was chief resident at Harbor General Hospital (UCLA) and a fellow at UCLA Medical School in Radiology from 1954-1955. In 1955 Pete and Vera moved to Rochester, NY where he opened his solo practice, Westside Radiology, in Rochester, NY; where he worked as a radiologist until retiring in 1990. From 1990 to 1999 Pete taught at the University of Rochester School of Imaging Sciences; first as an Assistant and later an Associate Clinical Professor. He was also a Rotarian.
In addition to being a devoted husband, father, grandfather and physician Pete was an expert in Estonian Philatelic History. He was an avid snow skier, tennis and squash player in his younger years…playing singles and doubles with Vera in their later years. Pete especially enjoyed meeting new people (whether they be nurses, waiters or salesclerks) and finding out in the course of conversation “what languages do you speak?” After retiring from his medical practice, he enjoyed travelling with Vera and spending time at their Canandaigua Lake house (with many visits from children and grandchildren) and Panama City Beach, FL condo, and playing the organ in their church. In 2014 Pete and Vera moved to Matthews Glen (formerly Plantation Estates) in Matthews, NC to be nearer to family.
Pete is survived by his five children: Patricia Gleason (the late Stephen Kubik), Christine Gleason (Erik Larson), Constance Reid (Glenn), Sharon Gleason and Timothy Gleason (Susan). He is also survived by his grandchildren: Jonathan Kubik, Kristen Larson (Allan Breed), Lauren Larson, Erin Larson, James Reid (Julia), Timothy Reid, Chloe Cotton, David Cotton, Megan Gleason, William Gleason and Catherine Gleason and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife of 67 years, Vera, his three brothers Alan, Charles Norris and David and his grandchildren Erika Kubik and Samuel Gleason.
Funeral services for Pete will be held at a later date in Rochester, NY.
Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences can be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.
Comments
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Peter was a new friend. Jim and I met him at the Catholic service here at Matthews Glen. (Plantation Estates). He and Jim sometimes had a tendency to talk during the
service. He did ask me his 'question'- how many languages do you speak? When I had to admit I only spoke Southern, badly. He liked me anyway. We only knew him a short time and I know our lives would have been far richer if we had known him longer. We will miss him.
Our thoughts and prayers go with you.
Jim and Lorraine Oddo -
My sincere condolences to the Gleason famil on the loss of your father. Though it's been many years since I have seen your father and mother, I remember them fondly during the many dinners they spent at our house on Park Avenue over the years. Your father was impressive in stature, but exuded a gentle kindness and your mother was always so sweet as well. I can still picture them so well. Sending prayers at this difficult time.
June (Shales) Schirmer -
Dear Cousins,
We are so very sad to hear the news about our dear Uncle Pete. What an extraordinary life! Memories flood in of the high times on Canandaigua Lake, when everyone would gather in the summertime at Peter and Vera’s…they were consummate hosts, and such a wonderful life force in the lives of all the Gleason cousins. We remember them with great honor and affection. Our sympathy goes out to the all the Gleason family in this time of great sadness.
Love to all,
Jamie and Robin -
It was our privilege to be members of an organization, the NROM (Naval Reserve Officers Mess), which enabled us to get to know Dr. Gleason on a personal basis. Conversation with he and Vera was an absolute delight. I loved his story of sitting on George Eastman's lap. He told us he was only three when it happened but received so many admonishments from his parents about behaving well, that he never forgot it. Peter's enthusiasm about life, music, tennis and our common connection to Radiology (I had been a Tech in another local office) made him a joy to know. My husband, Carl, joins me in expressing our very sincere sympathy to Peter's Children and extended family.
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We met "Dr. Pete" Gleason at Matthews Glen several years ago and for most of that time, we saw him daily at breakfast. We always enjoyed his outgoing personality and witty comments. He was a very kind and considerate person. He enjoyed "doctor talk" and sharing his many experiences from his long career. He will certainly be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this very difficult time.
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