Rack Gleason

Rack Gleason, son, big brother, uncle, and the best friend you could ever have. Although he was born Richard Gleason his oldest sister Sharon called him Rack and it stuck with him for the rest of his life. When asked his name he would very emphatically say Rack, just Rack, like Madonna and Sting. Rack spent his entire life helping others, he was the most selfless individual. Always there for his mom, Lillian Gleason, working around her house, enjoying dinners with her, cutting her pineapples for her, and taking her on trips around the world. Rack loved his family above anything else. He spent many hours in the homes of his sister Mary Jane and her partner Margaret Downey, brother Chuck and his wife Maura (the California Gleasons), and his sister Sarah Mullane and her husband David, doing home projects, eating wonderful dinners and drinking wine. He was always ready to help his siblings fix whatever was broken, work on new projects, and was there for the many parties over the years. Sharing in the joy of his extended family. Most dear to Rack’s heart were his nieces and nephews, Zach, Riley, Zoe, Erin and Colleen (Along with those he felt just as close with, Justin, Stephanie, Kelsey and Patrick). He was instrumental in Zach’s life and he frequently visited the California Gleason’s. He treasured his Tuesday dinners with Erin and Colleen. Sailing was a huge part of his life as well. His love of sailing started with his first sailing lessons with Paul Egan; Thursday’s with his sailing crew and the many dinners they shared at the Seven Seas afterwards. Racing to Bermuda was one of his most daring and joyful adventures. Friday Therapy with Peter Howard and the guys at Joe Ryan’s boatyard. He worked for many years as a building inspector for the town of Weston and most recently the town of Milford. Rack was a gem of a guy. Kind, loving, nurturing and truly a gentle man. Rack touched many lives in many ways. He will be deeply missed, but never forgotten by all of those who love him. Rack wrote many roses are red poems over the years. Here is one written for him: Roses are red, violets aren’t yellow, I love you just the way you are: humorous, enjoyable, and mellow. “There is nothing absolutely nothing half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats”. Rack’s favorite quote. In lieu of a wake, friends may greet the family for Rack’s final happy hour to celebrate his life on Friday December 29th, 2017, from 4-8 pm at the Milford Yacht Club 131 Trumbull Ave Milford. Please bring your stories and your dancing shoes.

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