Charles P. Gleason

Charles P. Gleason, Jr., (Jupe), a lifelong resident of Northampton, passed away on December 21, 2018, at the age of 90. He was born July 23, 1928, to the late Charles P. and Francis (Rupprecht) Gleason. Jupe graduated from Northampton High School in 1945. He served as the Senior Class President and earned varsity letters in Football, Baseball and Basketball (Captain). Jupe later attended Williston Academy and Saint Anselms College, (President Sophomore Class) and went on to earn his business degree from The University of Massachusetts. He served in The United States Marine Corps. Working at the Montgomery Rose Garden in Hadley during high school enabled him to be assigned as the General's gardener making his rose garden a sight of beauty. After graduating, Jupe worked at ProBrush. This prepared him for his future career in sales at the former Eastern Container Corporation. Traveling across the state, he made many lasting friendships. He was very active in the community and was presented with a sports recognition award for outstanding community service. He coached Little League baseball for 13 years and YMCA basketball for 11 years. He was a life member of the Northampton ELKS Lodge, a member of the Florence Civic and Business Association, Friends of Cooley Dickinson Hospital (50+ years), President of Holy Name Society at Annunciation Parish , President of the PTA at Florence Grammar School. He was elected and served 4 years on the school committee. He also served on the Ryan Road Building Addition Committee. Jupe married Marguerite (Midge) Douyard in 1950. They had a marriage made in heaven. They raised five children in Florence - Charles (Amy) of Holyoke, MA; Meg (Jack) Salvadore of San Antonio, TX; Colleen (Bill) Pohl of Cincinnati, OH; Kevin (Mary) of Altamont, NY; and Michael (Debbie) of Ocala, FL. He was a wonderful role model for his children, a caring and supportive grandfather of 11 (Aimee, Kristen, Kerry, Kevin, Billy, Dan, Meghan, Shelby, Brian, Mikey and Jamey; and proud great-grandfather of 21. Jupe had many interests. Reading was one. His favorites were political and historical novels. Golfing and belonging to the Northampton Country Club were a very important part of his social life. He especially enjoyed his morning matches with his friends and golfing with his boys in various tournaments. Going to Florida to his timeshare on a golf course in the winter was special. His greatest joy was having his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren join him at the resort. Having the family carry on the tradition pleased him very much. He played bridge and poker and enjoyed Wednesday luncheons at the Blue Bonnet. All of these activities done with old time friends. In 1970, Jupe and Midge went on their first airplane trip to Paris and that was the beginning of their desire to travel to different locations annually. They lived an idyllic life. Calling hours are Thursday, December 27th at Czelusniak Funeral Home in Northampton from 2 PM-5PM. The funeral will be Friday, December 28th at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seaton's Annunciation Chapel on Beacon St in Florence at 10 AM. Memorial Contributions can be made to the Charles P. Gleason Jr. Scholarship, C/O Dollars for Scholars and mailed to PO Box 60382, Florence, MA 01062-0382 in Jupe's name.