Kerry John Gleeson

We are heartbroken to announce that Kerry died on Tuesday October 10, 2023 after a brave battle with Alzheimers. If Kerry was here, he would have just the right joke to say, but we have no words.

Kerry’s oldest friend Ira was able to find them for us. We would like to share those beautiful words with you.

Your body became a big tangley mess

as your mind fuzzed out.

Your heart retained its innocence

but the switchboard confused you

as peanut butter gummed up its wiring.

Sweet Irish pipes still played in your head

but the lyrics came out all wrong

In German or jive talk.

On bygone Saturdays you always found

places to clean in the house.

Now you rearranged the shoes

as something always needed ordering.

When things got too difficult

It was time to leave,

so why procrastinate?

Do it now.

And so you left rather abruptly.

But then again, you always were

a simple man of action.

Now you are running your six miles

on brilliant celestial beaches.

Some might say you found 

your own bridge to total freedom. 

The long and windy road

from New Rochelle to Boca

ran through the islets of Gothenburg

and the green hills of Kerry

to end by the inland waterway

with sail fish and manatee,

resting at last in the hearts 

of your daughters and shipmates.

And like the proud busty woman

on the prow of a ship,

your strong, tired life mate 

will scatter rose petals on the water

as our memories of you

float on the now calm surface

of the sea that shares its final secret,

its simple secret that was always there:

Love it now. Love it now.

 

We are planning a celebration of life with a party in January/February 2024. Details to follow.

In the meantime, please share any stories, jokes or memories you have of Kerry on the tribute wall below.

The Gleeson girls - Gill, Brooke, Mackenzie and Quinn

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Kerry's name to the Alzheimers Association on their website: www.alz.org

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Kerry John Gleeson, please visit our floral store.