Monroe Gladd, Lee Gladd and Richard Gladd, c. 1945
Courtesy of the Adirondack Experience
Born: October 5, 1897
Died: December 30, 1989
Married: Merilda LaMare
Children: Francis (Frenchie), Richard (Dickie), Ronald (Ronnie), Robert, Marion, Margaret (Peggy), Doris, Jean (Mrs. Edward Duso) and Shirley
Lee G. Gladd was a lifelong resident of the Saranac Lake area; he was an auto and boat mechanic. When he was 17 years old he worked for the Shelley Tool Company. He cut the steel pilings for the Paul Smith's Electric Light and Power and Railroad Company building. From 1927 to 1949, he operated Gladd Brothers Garage with his brothers, Monroe and Dick. They sold Nashes until 1935, when they obtained a Ford dealership. During World War II, they converted their garage and made airplane and gun parts and land mine fuses for the government. At one time the defense plant employed 120 local people. They sold the garage in 1949. In the early 1950s, they operated a machine shop on Main Street, Universal Manufacturing Co., where they made parts for the government. In 1958, Lee Gladd owned and operated Minn's Deli on Broadway (probably named for his mother, Minnie) with his wife, Merilda, until his retirement in 1975. He obtained his pilot's license at the age of 60 and was the oldest citizen's band radio operator in the area. His CB handle was "Papa Lee."
He lived at 7 Fairview Avenue in 1948, and at 127 Broadway in the 1960s.
Adirondack Daily Enterprise, January 3, 1989
Local businessman Lee G. Gladd dies at 91
SARANAC LAKE--— Lee G. Gladd, 91, of Lake Clear died Friday, Dec. 30, at the General Hospital of Saranac Lake.
He was born Oct. 5, 1897, in Bloomingdale, the son of Joseph and Minnie (Jerdo) Gladd.
A lifelong resident of the Saranac Lake area, Mr. Gladd was an auto and boat mechanic. When he was 17 years old he worked for the Shelly Tool Company. He cut the steel pilings for the Paul Smith's Power and Electric Building.
He married Merilda LaMare Oct. 22, 1918 at St. Bernard's Church. She died Feb. 23, 1987.
From 1927 to 1949, he operated Gladd Brothers Garage with his brothers, Monroe and Dick. They sold Nashes until 1935, when they obtained a Ford dealership. During World War II, they converted their garage and made airplane and gun parts and land mine fuses for the government. At one time the defense plant employed 120 local people. They sold the garage in 1949.
In the early 1950s, they operated a machine shop on Main Street, Universal Manufacturing Co., .where they made parts for the government. In 1958, he owned and operated Minn's Deli on Broadway with his wife, Merilda, until his retirement in 1975.
He then made his home at the Lake Clear Trailer Park.
Mr. Gladd was a life member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge #1508. He obtained his pilot's license at the age of 60 and was the oldest citizen's band radio operator in the area. His CB handle was "Papa Lee."
Survivors include three sons, Francis L. Gladd, Richard N. Gladd, and Ronald K. Gladd, all of Saranac Lake; four daughters, Mrs. Bernard (Peggy) VanCour of Lake Clear, Mrs, Peter (Doris) Farrell of Tupper Lake, Mrs. Edward (Jean) Duso of Saranac Lake, and Mrs. Leon (Shirley) Harvey Jr. of Saranac Lake; and 20 grandchildren and 24 greatgrandchildren.
Other survivors include a sister, Mrs. Emma-Zeno of Vergennes, Vt.; and several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by a son, Robert Gladd; a daughter, Marion Gladd; four brothers, Monroe Gladd, Dick Gladd, Millard Gladd, and Harold Gladd; and two sisters, Mrs. Elizabeth Brockney and Mrs. Ethel Wood.
There were no calling hours.
A Mass of Christian Burial took place at 11:15 a.m. Monday at St. Bernard's Church. Cremation followed the ceremony.
Burial will take place in St. Bernard's Cemetery in May.
Memorial donations may be made to the Saranac Lake Rescue Squad in care of the Fortune Funeral Home, which is handling the arrangements.
