Thomas Joseph Gelson

Born in Brockton, he was the son of the late William P. Gelson and Helen C. (Genchauskas) Gelson.

He graduated from Brockton High School, where he played varsity football and was a member of the team who won the Class A Eastern Massachusetts Division Championships and went to the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida, in l960. After graduation he attended Boston College and then joined the Navy. He was assigned to the USS Bristol as an electrician’s mate and served for four years.

After being honorably discharged from the Navy, he joined the Bourne Police Department in l965 and served the Town of Bourne for 36 years, retiring as a lieutenant in 200l. He loved his part time job working with AL and the crew at Continental Marine, hunting, and camping. He also loved sitting on his porch in Florida as well as on Cape Cod.

He was a member of the Marconi Club in South Sagamore and was an avid Patriots and Boston Red Sox fan.

In addition to his wife, he leaves his sister, Irene Burroughs of Crawfordville, Florida; his children, Kenneth Gelson of Sagamore Beach and Sherry Matis of Carlisle, Pennyslvania; his grandchildren, Christopher Gelson, Alexa Gelson, Kyle Matis and Kaylyn Matis; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

A graveside service will be held at 11:30 am on Monday, August 13, 2012 at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, New England Division, 30 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701.