Harvey Gardère Gleason died at home surrounded by loving family this week. He was 79. Harvey graduated from Metairie Park Country Day School in 1959, Yale University in 1963, and the Tulane University School of Law in 1966. During the Vietnam War he served our country as a Captain in the United States Marine Corps stationed in Da Nang. After his service, he began a maritime law career at Chaffe McCall Phillips Toler and Sarpy and retired from Eustis O’Keefe & Gleason. He was a member of the London Maritime Association, Boston Club, and several Mardi Gras organizations. A life-long Episcopalian, he was a parishioner of Trinity Episcopal Church, New Orleans, where over the years he engaged in worship, Bible study and prayer groups. His love of prayer translated into a ministry in his retirement and during his cancer treatments and decline. Harvey loved working in his workshop and created a multitude of beautiful prayer boxes which he freely gave to his many friends, relatives, doctors and nurses. Harvey loved trees and walks in the woods. He played the Marine Corp Hymn on his bagpipes. Even as cancer grew and severe fatigue and weakness set in, his barrel chested voice echoed the poetic verse, “Let us then be up and doing.”
Harvey is preceded in death by his parents, Howard Wesley Gleason and Lottye Emma Gardère. He leaves his wife of 53 years, Mary Frances Mears Gleason, children John Harvey Gleason, Mary Elaine Leverich Gleason, Edward Campbell Gleason (Virginia), Laura Gardère Crawford (Stephen); brother Howard Wesley Gleason, Jr (Lynne); grandchildren Howard Chapman Gleason, Eleanor Frances Gleason, Claire Sophia Gleason, Coerte Gardère Crawford and Charlotte Suzanne Crawford and many nieces, nephews and friends to whom he was deeply attached.
Arrangements are being made for a graveside service.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Trinity Episcopal Church Endowment Fund.
The family invites you to share your thoughts, fond memories, and condolences online at www.lakelawnmetairie.com
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