Obituary of John Edward Gladstone

Jan. 1, 19l8 - May 15, 20ll Passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by his loved ones. Joe Is preceded in death by Ann, his dear wife of 58 years, and his brother Aaron. Joe is survived by his sister Charlotte, of St. Paul, MN, daughter Irene of Half-Moon Bay, daughter Laura and son Richard of Santa Cruz, CA, grandchildren Stephen, Susan, Shannon, Nicole and Mikaela and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Joe was born in Barberton, Ohio, near Akron, and moved to Brooklyn, New York, at the age of two. He graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School And, found work during the depression in New York and Detroit before joining the Merchant Marines in 1939 and embarking on a carrier at sea as a big-ship deep-water sailor. This experience shaped his life-long commitment to labor unions and human rights. Having made San Francisco his homeport, Joe quit the sea in 1952 to raise a family. Moving his family to the country, he spent the next thirty-five years in the electronics industry while living on a small ranch near our beloved town of Pescadero. Upon retiring he and Ann moved to Santa Cruz in 1986, and traveled extensively, visiting Russia, China, Israel, Spain, Canada and the Maritime Provinces. Joe was a WWII veteran, a fierce defender of democracy and a conscientious participant in his community. He was a 20-year member and past-president of his local board of education, a lifetime political observer and environmental activist. Joe was a widely read student of history, economics, politics and literature, and regarded as an authority on classical music and opera. As a speaker of Yiddish and Hebrew he stayed closely connected to his Jewish heritage and culture. Joe was a friend and mentor to many, a published author, widely regarded and admired for his prodigious memory, sharp wit and as a raconteur. He will be greatly missed and was loved by all who knew him. We wish to thank all those who helped support the family during this time. Please visit pacificgardenschapel.com to light a candle and share condolences with the family.