MANCHESTER, N.H. — Paul D. Gleason, 91, of the Bishop Peterson’s Residence, Manchester, NH, died in Manchester on Wednesday, Feb. 27.

Born May 9, 1921, in Bangor, he was the son of Irving J. and Roselle C. (Herlihy) Gleason. He attended St. John School and John Bapst Memorial High School in Bangor and graduated from Holy Cross College in 1943. He studied theology at St. Augustine Seminary, Toronto, Canada. Monsignor was ordained to the priesthood in Portland by Bishop Daniel J. Feeney on May 31, 1947.

He was Assistant Pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Lewiston from 1947-1961, Pastor of St. Ambrose Parish, Richmond from 1961-1964 and Rector of Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland from 1964-1971. He was Pastor of St. Patrick in Lewiston from 1971 to his retirement in 1991. Msgr. Gleason was named Honorary Prelate to his Holiness by Pope Paul VI on December 20, 1968.

Throughout his priestly life, Msgr. Gleason served as Spiritual Director of the Legion of Mary, Director of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine and Moderator of the Catholic Literary Guild. He was Chaplain of the Bureau of Human Relations, the Knights of Columbus, Daughters of Isabella, Rosary Sodality, Queen’s Guild, Bates College and St. Paul’s Guild. He was Chairman of the Diocesan Task Force for Education, a Pro-Judge for theTribunal and Dean of Cumberland and Androscoggin Counties. Msgr. Gleason was a member of the Diocesan School Board, Diocesan Finance Committee, the Clergy Benefit Plan and a Diocesan consultant. In addition, he founded the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Lewiston and the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland, served on the Pastoral Care Board of Central Maine Medical Center, and was a Board Director of St. Mary’s Hospital, Lewiston. He was member of the Priest Senate and Commission for New Parishes.

He is survived by several cousins. Donations and condolences may be accessed online at www.albert-burpee.com.

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