Gleason Family and Fans Gather to Mourn Loss

Jackie Gleason’s widow pinned a red carnation on his lapel Friday as family and fans gathered beside the entertainer’s coffin to mourn the loss of “a working man’s comedian.”

Hundreds of mourners waited in 90-degree heat outside the chapel to pay their last respects.

Gleason, known as “The Great One” and remembered for his portrayal of the loud-mouthed bus driver Ralph Kramden on “The Honeymooners,” died Wednesday at his home in nearby Lauderhill. He was 71.

Imperial Point Hospital staff physician Leonard Erdman said the comedian died of adenocarcinoma, colon cancer that also involved the liver.

Family at Private Viewing

Gleason’s widow, Marilyn, and his two daughters spent an hour at a private viewing Friday morning. With them was his sister-in-law, June Taylor, whose June Taylor Dancers appeared on Gleason’s television variety show.

Mrs. Gleason pinned her husband’s trademark red carnation on him during the private viewing, said Ron Laramore, manager of the Lithgow Funeral Chapel.

Playing quietly in the background in the chapel was Gleason’s brassy theme song “Melancholy Serenade,” which he wrote.

After the family left, the bronze, carnation-covered coffin was closed and the chapel doors were opened to people who had been waiting.

Many of the fans said they remembered Gleason most of all because he seemed to be one of them.

Identified With Kramden

“Jackie Gleason was a working man’s comedian,” said Evelyn Castorina, who said her firefighter father identified with Kramden’s constant financial troubles. Gleason’s variety show was the first television program she was allowed to stay up to watch, and she dreamed of joining the June Taylor Dancers.

First in the line was Mary Lobell, who arrived three hours early.

“He really was the greatest, one of a kind, down to earth,” she said. “He was able to make anybody laugh. It was just everything about him that portrayed the American people.”

An invitation-only funeral Mass is scheduled today at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Miami. Gleason’s family declined to release the guest list.