Thomas James Gladue

Thomas James Gladue of East Sandwich, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, April 11th at Cape Cod Hospital. He was 79. Tom was born in Brockton on July 27, 1936, to the late Leodore and Margaret (Gentile) Gladue. Growing up in Brockton, he graduated from Brockton High School, Class of 1954 and enlisted in the U.S. Army. After his service he worked for the State of Massachusetts and enrolled in Northeastern University, earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering. After graduating in 1969 he joined the Eastman Kodak Company. Relocating to Rochester, New York, he raised his family there and enjoyed a 25 year career. Tom returned to Massachusetts after retiring where he loved life on the Cape.

Tom was a loving husband and father who most enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren, and his many dear friends. He was often still called “Tommy”. He was a true New England sports fan, rarely missing a Patriots or Bruins game and never missing a Sox game. He was an avid reader, preferring non-fiction. He could often be found listening to his beloved collection of Jazz standards, but truly enjoyed listening to many music genres. He loved the simple things, like siting with his lovely wife watching the waves with an ice cold Beefeater martini, straight up, 2 olives.

Tom is survived by his wife of 55 years, Marlyn (Robinson) Gladue, their children, Carol-Ann Speros of Wellesley, Michelle Reifsteck of Centerville and Andrea Gladue Balonis and her husband Michael of Benicia, CA, his brother, William Gladue of Middleboro and sisters, Katherine Levesque of New York City and Mary Beth McDaniel of Arlington, sister in law, Linda Whelan and her husband David of Plymouth. Grandchildren, Maxwell (Max) Reifsteck, 21 and Catherine (Cate) Speros, 7, and many loving nieces, nephews and cousins. He was the father in law to the late Dudley Speros and brother in law to the late Janet Gladue.

A period of visitation will be held with the family on Sunday, April 17, from 4-8pm at the Nickerson-Bourne Funeral Home, 154 MA-6A, Sandwich, MA 02563.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, April 18, at 10:00am in Corpus Christi Parish, 324 Quaker Meetinghouse Rd. in East Sandwich followed by burial in the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne at 1:15pm Friends may share condolences and sign the register book online at www.nickersonbournefuneralhome.com. Inn. Lieu of flowers the family requests donations to: Cape Cod Health Care Foundation/Cardiac Care PO Box 370 Hyannis MA 02601