MARLBOROUGH - Walter J. 'Walt' Gleason Sr., of Millbury and formerly of Marlborough, entered eternal life Saturday, March 28, 2009, at UMass Medical Center, Worcester, after a short illness. He is survived by his children, Walter Jr., with whom he resided, Kenneth of Marlborough, Deborah Costa of Winchendon, Bonnie Lefebvre and her husband, Alan, of Charlestown, N.H., and Jeffrey of Maynard; his grandchildren, Jamie Emberley and her husband, Michael, of Maynard, Joshua Dolbec of Oxford, Sgt. Justin Costa and Jodi Costa, both of Athol, and Amanda Lebrun and her daughter, Halle-Ann Frey, of West Columbia, S.C.; his special great-granddaughters, Carolyn Emberley and Karizmasophie Costa; and his siblings, Richard Gleason of Osterville, Marylou Thomas of Wyoming and Bernard Gleason of California.. He also leaves his wife, Barbara (Smart) Gleason of Charlestown, N.H. and many nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late Francis Gleason of California.

Walter was born January 6, 1930 in Boston, son of the late Francis and Alma (Penwell) Gleason, and attended school in Wellesley. He joined the Air Force as an aircraft mechanic and was honorably discharged with the rank of staff sergeant. A man of many ambitions, his life dream was to be a firefighter but due to a disability, he was not eligible. He was a modified car mechanic, millwright, and he owned gas stations in the Marlborough area. He loved working on modified race cars and was often in the pit at Westborough Speedway and Norwood Arena. An avid sports fan, he loved candlepin bowling and was always finding something to keep himself busy during his retirement. He had a zest for learning and attended many classes at Worcester State College.
Calling hours will be held Friday, April 3, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Fitzgerald & Collins Funeral Home (www.SFCFH.com), 378 Lincoln St., Marlborough, followed by a funeral service at 7 p.m. Burial with military honors will be held at a later date.
Instead of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Wounded Warrior Project, 7020 AC Skinner Pkwy, Suite 100, Jacksonville, FL 32256