Jack Glenzer

John “Jack” Glenzer has always maintained a sense of loyalty to his family and community. But on this day, his 90th birthday, Chautauqua County is celebrating his contributions.

Glenzer, a Fredonia resident, was the second Chautauqua County executive, earning election in1983. Additionally, he served his country in the U.S. Army, was a member of the Fredonia Fire Department and greatly involved in the Salvation Army.

His most important connections, however, came from his family. For 59 years, he was married to Joan Lupean Glenzer, who passed in 2017. “He adored my mother,” said his daughter, Jana Goodrich. “They did everything together.”

Both parents were especially proud of their relationship with the State University of New York at Fredonia. “They were so thankful to the college for their careers … and all the opportunities,” Goodrich said, noting they created the Dr. John A. & Joan L. Glenzer Endowment for the Performing Arts through the Fredonia College Foundation.

Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel said the county was honoring Glenzer with a letter to note the milestone. In it, he wished “to recognize and thank Jack Glenzer for his outstanding accomplishments in public service and his endless contributions in making Chautauqua County a safer and better place to live, work, play, and raise a family.”

Glenzer’s family includes a daughter, Jana Goodrich; a son, Jeff; four grandchildren: Christine Blashock; Patrick Goodrich; Elizabeth Glenzer and Paige Glenzer. He also has three great-granddaughters, Nora Goodrich and Anna Goodrich and Natalie Goodrich. In addition, there is a sister, Kathy Holser and a brother, the late Dick Glenzer.

One day earlier, Wendel honored the county’s first executive on his 94th birthday. Gerace took the county’s top spot, serving from 1975 to 1983. “He worked to define the internal structure of both the executive and legislative branches of county government, and was instrumental in creating the sewer districts along Chautauqua Lake,” Wendel’s letter noted.

Gerace also was elected as a New York State Supreme Court Justice, a position he served in until he reached its mandatory retirement age in 2003.