BRISTOL — Michael John Gleason, 71, of Bristol, passed away at Birchwood Terrace Rehabilitation Center on Monday, June 17, 2024. The son of John P. and Marion (Levarn) Gleason, Michael is survived by his wife of 47 years, Anne (Powell) Gleason, and sons Seth, Bryce and Pete; brothers Greg (Denise) and Stephen (Mary) Gleason; mother-in-law, Lucille Jimmo; sisters-in-law, Dawn (Richard) Jimmo and Lisa Powell; brothers-in-law Scott, Charlie and Doug (Suzanne) Powell and Brad Jimmo; seven nieces, two nephews and seven great-nephews.

Michael invested his life freely and fully as a loving and supportive husband and father, who enjoyed sharing a hearty laugh with his sons, providing many good stories — happy moments of his making. “Mr. G” was a teacher, coach, writer, actor, singer, author and forever fan of Muhammad Ali, the Dodgers and the Rolling Stones. He taught elementary school for over thirty years, finding great joy particularly in reading The Hobbit aloud every year in his fourth-grade Bristol classroom, where he spent most of his career. His love of sports was translated into the dozens of golden opportunities given to him to coach kids in soccer, basketball and baseball — Little League was near and dear to his heart. Michael enjoyed discovering his aptitude for acting in community theater productions, and for singing, in the Federated Church choir. In his retirement, he completed the youth novel he had refined for years — a story about a new kid, a neighborhood and the power of friendship.

Michael cherished his family, his students and his community, and his connections to so many others will continue to speak of a life lived well.

Quoting Ernie Banks, of the Chicago Cubs, as Michael often did: “It’s a bea-u-ti-ful day for a ball game — let’s play two!”

There will be a private family memorial service at a later date.

Contributions in Michael’s name may be made to Bristol Little League, 78 Stetson Road, Bristol, VT 05443. ◊