Joseph Boyce Gleason, 69, of Clifton, Virginia, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 1, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.

Joe was born in Briarcliff Manor, New York, to Janet Smith Gleason and Burdette “Vince” Gleason. Proudly following in his father’s footsteps, Joe graduated from Dartmouth College, where he forged many lifelong friendships and where a piece of his heart will always remain.

Joe’s award-winning career in crisis management and public affairs began in Washington, D.C. as press secretary on Capitol Hill for two U.S. Representatives. For most of his professional life, Joe worked at the MSL Group, a leading international public relations and public affairs firm, where he led the firm’s Washington, D.C., office and later became President of U.S. operations. Subsequently, Joe founded his own consultancy, the Gleason Group. His work on some of the most visible corporate crises in recent U.S. history earned him national recognition and made him a featured speaker and advisor to corporate, academic, civil rights, and nonprofit institutions.

Joe’s passions for politics, reading, and storytelling also led him to write multiple historical fiction novels under the pen name J. Boyce Gleason. His first three titles, Anvil of God, Wheel of the Fates, and Crown of a King, explore the lives of the Carolingian kings in eighth-century France. Patriotic in the truest sense, his latest literary work was to focus on the early life of Ben Franklin, with a similar project on George Washington also in development.

Joe’s greatest love was his family. Joe is survived by his wife of 45 years, Mary Margaret; three sons, Brendan (Rachael), Brian (Alison), and Brady (Colleen); his mother, Janet; his siblings, James, John, Steven, Jean, and Peter; and seven grandchildren, who were his pride and joy. Joe also leaves behind many dear friends in Clifton, Virginia, Bethany Beach, Delaware, and around the world, who—like his family—will miss his wisdom, knowledge, thoughtfulness, kindness, and passion.

Deeply enthusiastic about history and wine, a gathering to celebrate Joe’s life is scheduled for November 22, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., at The Winery at Bull Run in Virginia. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Blood Cancer United.

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