Peter Gillis Gleason, M.D.
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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 Grunthal 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.