He will be remembered as a kind, humble family man,
who truly knew what mattered most in life
Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend Visiting Hours today, Wednesday, September 30, from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Vertuccio Smith & Vazza, Beechwood Home for Funerals, 262 Beach St., Revere for William J. “Billy” Gleeson, Sr., who died on Saturday, September 26, surrounded by his loving family at the Lahey Medical Center in Burlington following a long illness with multiple health problems. He was 83 years old. His Funeral will be conducted from the funeral home on Thursday, October 1, beginning at 9 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Anthony of Padua Church, 250 Revere St., Revere at 10 a.m. Interment will immediately follow in Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden.
Billy was born on November 10, 1942, in Boston to his late parents. Francis “Frank” and Josephine (Cahill) Gleeson. Billy began his life living in Roxbury along with his eleven brothers and sisters. Billy was educated in Boston Public Schools. At the age of 10 the family moved to East Boston, where he made his home for over 70 years.
Billy married the love of his life, Josephine M. “Joanne” (Russo) on July 28, 1963. They had one son, William, Jr. and happily raised their son together. Billy was always dedicated to his family and worked to provide for them. He began working in a shoe factory and then later worked in the Security Business. Throughout Billy’s life, he had some health struggles, but he marched on with his wife by his side and worked until this past year. He enjoyed a career with Alliance Security for 32 years.
Billy enjoyed traveling all over the country and especially had a few places that he truly liked such as Niagara Fall’s and Dolly Wood in Tennessee. Billy also enjoyed taking the entire family on a yearly vacation so they could all enjoy it together. He also enjoyed his trips to Atlantic City and Foxwoods. Billy was an avid Boston Sports fan but mostly enjoyed his home and being with his family. He will be remembered as a kind, humble family man, who truly knew what mattered most in life.
The beloved husband of 63 years of Josephine M. “Joanne” (Russo) Gleeson of East Boston and the loving father of William J. “Billy” Gleeson, Jr. and his companion, Julie Nguyen of Dorchester, he was the cherished grandfather of Chenelle M. Gleeson and her fiancée, Jeff Doucette of Belmont, Alise M. Niolet and her husband, Marcus of Concord, New Hampshire and the late William J. “Willy” Gleeson, III and his wife, Krissie Sansaverino – Gleeson and surrogate grandfather of Serena DiSciscio of Concord, NH; great grandfather of Kourtney R. Gleeson and Luciana Niolet; dear brother of the late Joanne Candelora, Frank Gleeson, Edward Gleeson, Mary Thomson, Herbert Gleeson, Joseph Gleeson, Theresa MaQuiggin, Thomas Gleeson, Katherine Gleeson, and Elaine Bates. He is also lovingly survived by his brother-in-law, Frank Candleora and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Lahey Clinic Office of Philanthropy, 529 Main St., 4th Floor, Charlestown, MA 02129. To send your condolences online, please visit www.vertucciosmithvazza.com. Funeral arrangements entrusted to the care and direction of the
Vertuccio Smith & Vazza, Beechwood Home for Funerals.