Obituary of William A. Gladstone

Bangor and Margaretville, NY - William “Bill” Gladstone, passed away suddenly in the early morning hours of July 3, 2019 at home with his wife, Martha by his side. William was born in Margaretville, NY December 2, 1953 to parents Garland Gladstone and Barbara Bramley.

William was an acolyte for the Episcopal Church in Margaretville for many years and an Eagle Scout. He graduated in 1972 from Margaretville Central where he excelled at many sports. He loved hiking the Catskill and Adirondack Mountains. William was a graduate of Albany College of Pharmacy. He worked as a pharmacist from Lincoln to Bangor and most recently, Old Town. William was so well liked by his co-workers for his sense of humor and especially by his customers where he prided himself with treating everyone with integrity, respect and patience.

Along with his first wife Kathryn, William raised two daughters, Sarah and Lindsay. As a little girl, Sarah loved taking truck rides and listening to country music with Dad, and getting ice cream for lunch as long as she promised not to tell Mom. Camping trips, Pony Club, and horseback riding will always be fond memories. William spent many years as a competitive trail rider with his horses when he wasn’t behind the pharmacy counter. His daughter, Lindsay joined him on the rides as his pit crew waiting along the trail with water and keeping him company at night in the tent. After parting with his farm, William became a second father to Martha’s children, Meghan and Harrison and he always said the word “stepchild” was not in his vocabulary. He was devoted to his blended family and to the four Bernese Mountain dogs he shared with his wife, Martha. He will be missed by his current four legged best friends, Jim and Ginny who loved going for rides with “Dad” in the jeep. Most of all, William treasured his grandchildren Mason and Emma. They brought him so much joy. Watching Mason play hockey was always a thrill and the special “Grampy hugs” that he shared with Emma would light up his eyes. Bill loved being “Grampy Gladstone” and he was looking forward to the arrival of a new grandson, Avery William Browne, due this month. Bill’s favorite pastime was smoking beef brisket and other delicacies for family, neighbors and friends on his smoker in the backyard. A cookout was not complete without one of Bill’s recipes. William and Martha were both looking forward to his upcoming retirement in August and celebrating their tenth wedding anniversary on July 18th.

William was predeceased by his parents, Garland and Barbara. He is survived by his wife Martha, his daughters Lindsay Gladstone and Sarah Gladstone McNally, her husband Nicholas, grandson Mason, granddaughter Emma all of Bangor, “step”-daughter Meghan Pojasek Browne, her husband Patrick of Exeter and “step”-son Harrison Pojasek and his wife Candace of Bangor. William is also survived by sisters Sandra Gladstone of Norwich, NY, Nancy Gladstone and fiance Mitch DeSilva of Albany, NY and brother Mike Gladstone his wife Patti, nephews Dylan and Matthew and his fiancee, Jerevy and their daughter Madison all of Norwich, NY, and a nephew Adam Gladstone and niece Kelly Gladstone, both of NY. 

To honor William’s wishes there will be no service. William was a giving man and was always quietly helping out a child or family in need whether it was sending children to summer camp, providing Christmas gifts as a secret elf, or making sure someone’s oil tank was full. If you would like to remember William in a special way, a fund has been created with Bangor Savings Bank to continue Bill’s tradition of helping others and bringing joy to children. In lieu of flowers or cards, please consider making a contribution in Williams's memory to the William A. Gladstone Memorial Fund, c/o Bangor Savings Bank, 3 State St Bangor, ME 04401 or make a donation at any Bangor Savings Bank Branch. Finally, Martha would like to thank the many paramedics that worked persistently trying to bring Bill back to us. Your care and compassion was greatly appreciated. “Be the things you loved most about the people who are gone.” Arrangements trusted to Kiley & Foley Funeral Service, Bangor and Brewer and messages and memories may be shared with his family at kileyandfoley.com.