COCHITUATE: Retired Deputy Fire Chief Richard A. Gladu, 82, died peacefully on Saturday, January 8, 2011 with his loving family at his side at the Wayland Nursing and Rehab Center following an illness of several years.
Richard was born in the family residence on Willard Street in Cochituate on March 23, 1928 the son of the late Leon N. Gladu and Cecelia (Charboneau) Gladu.
Rich is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 58 years, Janet M. (Byrne) Gladu of Cochituate. He was the loving father of Richard A. Gladu, Jr. of Dennis; Pamela Lanning and her husband Stephen of Wells, Maine; Cecelia Gary and her husband J. Mark of Kennebunk, Maine; Kathleen Ney and her husband Russell of Marlborough; Lauren Nanos and her husband Harry of Ashland and Linda Madsen and her husband David of Arlington. Also survived by 13 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his sister Theresa Blair of Florida and was pre-deceased by 11 brothers and sisters.
Rich has been a lifelong resident of Cochituate and attended the Wayland Schools. He served his country proudly as a Corporal with the United States Army during the Korean War. He began his career as a call firefighter with the Town of Wayland and in 1956 was appointed as a firefighter to the department. He was promoted to Captain and retired after 35 years of dedicated service to the Town of Wayland as the Deputy Fire Chief. Upon his retirement he became the custodian and maintenance man for the First Parish Church of Wayland. He was also a talented landscaper in the area and loved to take care of the lawns and gardens at his residence. In retirement he enjoyed his morning coffee routine with several of his former colleagues from the fire department. Rich was a longtime communicant of St. Zepherins Church. He will be greatly missed by his family and those who knew him. Rich’s greatest asset was the love and devotion to his family and spending time with them and his grandchildren. The Gladu family would like to express their thanks to the staff at the Wayland Nursing and Rehab Center in Cochituate for the care given to Rich these past few years.
At the request of his family, there will be no funeral home visitations and private burial will take place in the Gladu family lot in Lakeview Cemetery, Cochituate.
A Memorial Mass celebrating his life will be held on Thursday, January 13, 2011 at 11:00 am at the Parish of the Good Shepherd at St, Zepherin’s Church, 99 Main St (Route 27), Cochituate.
In lieu of flowers, his family suggests memorial gifts in Rich’s memory be sent to the Wayland Firefighters Association, PO BOX 341, Wayland, MA 01778
Arrangements entrusted to the care of the John C. Bryant Funeral Home of Cochituate. For on-line condolences and directions, please visit www.johncbryantfuneralhome.com.