Yankees win GR Softball title in memory of their teammate

By Joe Ragozzino
Sports editor
There was no wild celebration.
Under normal circumstances, the players for the Yankees would have jumped for joy after beating the Red Soxx, 7-4, to win the Glen Ridge Men’s Softball League championship on Aug. 4 at Forest Avenue Field.
But after receiving the championship trophy, they were a bit subdued, with thoughts of Dan Gleeson on their minds.
Gleeson, a member of the Yankees, died of a heart attack on July 18 at the age of 45. Naturally, Yankees manager Bob Salvatelli said winning the championship was bittersweet. The team dedicated the championship in Mr. Gleeson’s memory.
“As a teammate, he was very good. He always encouraged everybody and always had fun,” said Salvatelli of Mr. Gleeson. “It made the experience enjoyable for all.”
Mr. Gleeson grew up in Glen Ridge, the youngest in a family of five children, and played an active role in sports in the community. Mr. Gleeson was a member of football and baseball teams that each won State championships at Glen Ridge High School, graduating in 1983. In his senior year, he helped the football team win the State sectional championship, the last time GRHS won a State sectional football title.
Mr. Gleeson attended St. Peter’s College in Jersey City where he played football before transferring to Montclair State College, continuing to play football, and earning his degree in political science.
Mr. Gleeson also was a coach for the Glen Ridge Athletic Association baseball program for several years.
A married father of four children, Mr. Gleeson played several positions for the Yankees, mostly third base.
The Yankees’ season was interrupted by the news of Mr. Gleeson’s death as the team missed two games. When their season resumed, the players had Mr. Gleeson’s initials and uniform number embroidered on the sleeves of their uniforms.
Salvatelli and the rest of the Yankees will miss Mr. Gleeson.
“He was just a great dad, fun-loving guy, excellent coach, great demeanor, never overly excited, very even-tempered,” said Salvatelli, also the GRAA president.
After marrying in 1994, Mr. Gleeson lived in Montclair before returning to Glen Ridge. He was a CYO basketball coach at St. Cassian School in Montclair, as well as a coach for numerous youth sports in Montclair. He also was a supporter of the Montclair Hockey Club and Floyd Hall Arena, and a member of the Commonwealth Club in Montclair and the Montclair Beach Club.
Mr. Gleeson is survived by his wife of 16 years, Marybeth (Maher); his three sons, Daniel, age 14; Owen, 12; and Dylan, 8, and his daughter Maggie, 10. Predeceased by his mother, Sarah Gleeson, he also leaves behind his father, William Gleeson; his brothers, Bill, Sean, and Brendan; his sister, Kelly; and his mother and father-in-law, Joan and Bill Maher.
The Gleeson Family Scholarship Fund has been created in memory of Mr. Gleeson. All proceeds will go toward the education of his four young children. Donations can be made to the Gleeson Family Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 951, West Caldwell, N.J. 07007-0951.