Howard F. “Howie” Gleason Jr., 49 of Wachusett Extended Healthcare Holden, formerly of 33 Wellington St. passed away peacefully Saturday July 23rd in the Umass Memorial Healthcare Memorial Campus surrounded by family and friends after a long battle with Muscular Dystrophy. All who knew Howie loved him; he brought many smiles to many faces. He will be sadly missed

   Howie was a great, “Hero” to all who came in contact with him. His courage and will to live was inspirational and reached beyond life itself. He did it with great pride. He leaves behind four sisters, Kathryn and her husband Donald G. Wyman of Paxton, Carol A. Gleason of West Boylston, Raquel L. Lunt of Largo Florida and Rosemary D. Gleason of Worcester; four brothers, Robert J. and his wife Irene, Paul R. and his wife Darlene, Michael and his wife Kathleen, and John P. Gleason all of Worcester; several nieces nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and many close friends. A brother Donald J. Gleason pre deceased him. Howie was born in Worcester; his parents were the late Howard F. and Glorya M. (Badone) Gleason.

   Howie was a genuine fundraiser to all Associations. He dedicated his life?s work to fund rising for Muscular Dystrophy, he served as president, and vice president of Worcester MDA Chapter. . Howie was on the Board of Model Cities Counsel, Neighborhood Youth Corp. He was a 34-year Volunteer at the former Worcester City Hospital. He was awarded the volunteer of the year award from the Hospital many times. He was an avid bingo player and volunteer at St Peters and the OTC on Hope Ave. . He was a member of the Worcester Elks Lodge 243, the Worcester County Deputy Sheriffs Association, The Mass State Police, Worcester Police, Worcester Fire Department, Paramedics and EMT Associations. He received the Key to the City of Worcester in February of 1990 and the book of Golden Deeds Award from the Exchange club for his volunteer efforts to the Community. Howie organized many four wheel and snowmobile efforts during the Blizzard of ’78’. He was a member of the Senior Citizen Center in Worcester and Holden. His lifetime dedication and devotion was to someday find a cure for Fredrich’s Ataxia and all neuromuscular Illnesses.

   The funeral will be held Friday July 29th from the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St with a mass at 9 am in Our Lady of Mt Carmel Church, 24 Mulberry St. Burial will be in Worcester County Memorial Park in Paxton. Friends and family may pay their respects from 1 to 3 pm and 5 to 9 pm Thursday July 28th. Members of the Worcester Lodge of Elks will meet at 7 pm in the funeral home to conduct their ritual. In Lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association of New England, Fredrich’s Ataxia fund, 33 Lyman St. Westboro, 01581