Matthew Campbell Gleason

February 7th, 1926 – May 26th, 2022

Matthew Gleason, resident of Mission Beach since 1930, died in his family home on May 26th at the age of 96. The son of Michael and Mercedes Gleason, nee Shea, Matthew served in the Navy during WWII as a medic. Matthew then earned his MD from Loyola University School of Medicine in Chicago. While interning at Mercy Hospital in San Diego, he met his wife and mother of his children, Janice Casey. In the 1950s, Matthew began a family and a successful plastic surgery practice in his hometown of San Diego. He served as President of the San Diego County Medical Society in 1974, as well as other leadership roles in the California Medical Association, San Diego Surgical Society, and UCSD. He worked as a physician until February of 2022, when he retired as a medical consultant for the state of California.

In his free time, Matthew enjoyed a plethora of active endeavors, including surfing, scuba diving, sailing, and running marathons. He loved traveling, often bringing his family along on his adventures. Though Matthew traveled the globe, San Diego was his favorite city in the world, and he could often be seen reading in his front yard, enjoying a cigar and a scotch while admiring Mission Bay.

He is survived by his three children and their spouses, Mark and Leslie, Sheila and Michael, Sharon and Roger, and his three grandchildren, Shannon, Alexandra, and Matt. He is survived by his sister Regina, her two daughters, Jennifer and Julia, and great niece, Jesse, as well as beloved cousins. He leaves behind numerous friends, including his Irish brothers in the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, with whom he spent many nights praying (AKA drinking whiskey).

Matthew was a spiritual man. Throughout his life, he was a parishioner of St. Brigid's, All Hallows, and Our Lady of Refuge. He not only embraced Catholicism but Science of Mind and Judaism as well. His spiritual advisor and close friend, Rev. Harry Morgan Moses will be conducting the service on July 1st, from 3:00PM to 7:00PM at the Pacific Beach- La Jolla Chapel, 4710 Cass St., San Diego, CA.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.pacificbeachchapel.com for the Gleason family.