John “Jack” A. Glenzer, 91, of Fredonia, passed away on Sunday, April 10, 2022, at Hamot Hospital in Erie, PA, following a fall at home and brief illness. Jack will be remembered for his love of his family, a quick wit and sense of humor, a propensity for detailed storytelling, and a long career in education and public service. Jack was born on March 8, 1931, in Pittsburgh, PA, to John Gustave Glenzer and Amelia Maude “Peg” (Riley) Glenzer. He graduated from Harding High School in Warren, Ohio, in 1948, after which he enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving the Fourth Infantry Regimental Combat Team during the Korean War at Fort Lewis, Washington, and Eilson Air Force Base in Alaska. Upon discharge from the Army in 1951, he moved to Fredonia and worked for Bulick & Co. He enrolled at SUNY Fredonia in 1952 under the Korean G.I. Bill and earned a B.S. in Elementary Education and Early Secondary Science in 1957. From 1957 to 1959, Jack owned Jack Glenzer Sales & Service, a Fredonia Ford dealership. During this time, he married Joan Lupean in December 1958. In 1959, Jack began his education career at Brocton Central school, teaching general science, math, biology, chemistry and physics. After earning a M.S. in Science Education and an Ed.D. in Science Education from the University of Buffalo, Jack began his teaching career at SUNY Fredonia in 1968, where he taught until leaving in 1984 for a full-time career in public office. Jack began his career in public service by chairing the Fredonia Sewer Commission when the present treatment facility was being constructed. Following that, he was elected to the Village of Fredonia Board of Trustees and four terms on the Chautauqua County Legislature. In 1983, he was elected as Chautauqua County Executive, serving six years until his retirement at the end of 1989. Following his retirement as County Executive, he served as Chautauqua County Republican Committee Chairman for many years. In addition to elected office, Jack was a member of the Barker Hose Company of the Fredonia Volunteer Fire Department for forty years. He served as the first chairman of the Fredonia Cable Television Commission, which led to the first cable television franchise for Fredonia. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Dunkirk Salvation Army, and could often be found ringing the bell during the holiday season.
Jack was a member of many organizations, including the American Legion, Masonic Lodge, Fredonia Beaver Club, Chautauqua Tennis Club, National Science Teachers Association, and National Rifle Association. He was an avid fisherman, who made many special trips to Alaska and the Arctic watershed with friends and family. He also enjoyed hunting, and founded the Camp Reno hunting camp in Ripley, New York in 1962. Jack was predeceased by his wife of 59 years and love of his life, Joan Lupean Glenzer, who passed in 2017. He is survived by two children: Jana Goodrich (Michael) of Erie, PA, and Jeff Glenzer (Lisa) of Germantown, MD. He is also survived by four grandchildren: Christine Goodrich Blashock (Adam) and Patrick Goodrich (Megan), both of Erie, PA; Elizabeth Glenzer of Arlington, VA and Paige Glenzer of Germantown, MD. He is also survived by three great granddaughters, Nora Grace Goodrich, Anna Rose Goodrich, and Natalie Marie Goodrich, all of Erie, PA. He is survived by one sister, Kathy Holser (David) of Fredonia and The Villages, FL. In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by one brother, Richard Glenzer (Dar), formerly of Fredonia and Vero Beach, FL, and one child, Todd Edward Glenzer.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that donations be made to the Dr. John A. & Joan L. Glenzer Endowment for the Performing Arts, c/o Fredonia College Foundation, 272 Central Ave, Fredonia, NY 14063. Calls may be made Friday, April 22, 2022, from 2-4 p.m. & 6-8 p.m. at the LARSON-TIMKO Funeral Home, 20 Central Avenue, Fredonia, N.Y. A Masonic service, under the auspices of the Forest Lodge No. 166 F &AM will be held Friday, April 22, 2022 at 7:30 pm. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 23, 2022, at 11 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Fredonia, 219 Central Avenue, Fredonia, NY 14063. Full Military Honors, provided by the Dunkirk Joint Veterans Council, will take place at church following the funeral service. Interment at Forest Hill Cemetery will be private. On-line condolences may be made at larsontimkofuneralhome.com. Arrangements by David J. Dengler.