July 22, 1955 – February 19, 2026
Patrick Leonard Gleason passed away peacefully in his home in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026.
Patrick was born in Denver on July 22, 1955, to George and Mary Jean Gleason, the fifth of seven children in a skiing family. Patrick grew up skiing Aspen after his father built a cabin on Ute Ave in 1961.
He attended Boulder High School and received his bachelor’s degree in business from Notre Dame. While in college, he competed on the ski team and won a national championship with the fencing team. He later moved to Southern California, where he met his wife Dede Mackin (divorced) and had his first child, Keith. They subsequently moved to Glenwood Springs, then Redstone, where his daughter Mackinna was born. The children finished their schooling in Boulder. Patrick moved to Alma in 2008, his home for most of the remainder of his life.
Just out of college, Patrick spent the winter of 1979 living in the family’s “cabin in Aspen” and ski instructing at Snowmass. Over the years he taught skiing at Lake Eldora, Big Bear in California, Breckenridge and Copper Mountain. He loved teaching — especially kids, who affectionately knew him as Gumby.
Patrick started his career in sales and transitioned into real estate, working as an appraiser and an agent, and at one time worked for RFTA driving buses. He briefly went back to school, studying architecture, but rediscovered his passion for teaching skiing, which prompted his move to Alma. He taught skiing through the 2025 season at Copper Mountain, in spite of his ongoing battle with cancer. He remained active in real estate, serving as a hearing officer for appeals of commercial real estate valuations in Denver County.
In Alma he grew roots and made his way onto the town board, where he served as a trustee and mayor pro tem, improving the town’s water system, town zoning and public access to nearby fourteener peaks.
Patrick relocated to Salt Lake City in December 2025 to be closer to his son Keith, daughter-in-law Bianca, and first grandchild Finn. The entire Gleason clan rallied around Patrick during this major life transition. During his short time in Salt Lake he stayed close to his family and celebrated Finn’s first Christmas and birthday.
His positivity, infectious energy and terrible dad-jokes raised the spirits of all those he interacted with. He was happiest when he was on skis, riding his road or mountain bike, watching Notre Dame football, outdoors with one of his beloved dogs, listening to music, reading, and spending time with his large family, children, and grandson.
Patrick is survived by his children Keith and Mackinna, his grandson Finn, and his siblings Judy (Tom) Wright, Jim (Karen) Gleason, Bob (Penelope) Gleason, Nancy (Greg) Warren, Marilyn (Ed Colby) Gleason, and Gary Gleason, along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents George and Mary Jean Gleason and sister-in-law Carolyn.
A memorial service will be held in Alma this Saturday, May 30, at 10am at the Stone Church Gathering at 184 N. Main. All who knew Patrick are welcome.
Many, many powder turns will be made in his memory.
Donations in Patrick’s honor can be made to: The Alma Foundation, Anschutz Cancer Center, Summit County Animal Shelter, Protect our Winters.