John A. “Jack” Glenzer died Sunday, April 10, at UPMC Hamot in Erie, Pa. He was 91 years old.

Glenzer was county executive from 1984-1990. After his retirement from elected office, he served as chairman of the Chautauqua County Republican Committee for many years. Prior to that, he served on the Chautauqua County Legislature and Fredonia Village Board of Trustees.

State Sen. George Borrello credits Glenzer for getting him involved in elected office.

“He is the person that first got me involved in politics back when I was still in high school. He was a wonderful man whose wisdom was only exceeded by his kindness and humor. He told me so often how proud he was of me. It meant the world to me coming from a legend like Jack. He served our community so well as an educator, public servant and a true leader. His legacy lives on in all of us. RIP my friend,” Borrello wrote on his Facebook page.

John “Jack” Glenzer, left is pictured next to Andy Goodell and Mark Thomas. The three were among the eight individuals who were honored last month for their service as executive to Chautauqua County. Photo by Gregory Bacon

County Executive PJ Wendel, too, expressed his sorrow for the longtime leader. “Dr. Glenzer meant so much to so many people in our county. He was a great mentor and friend, who left a legacy for us in county government. It is with deep sorrow that we mourn the loss of a great civic leader and public servant, who served our country, community and county with honor,” he said in a statement.

Glenzer made his last public appearance March 11 when the Jackson Center honored all eight elected and two appointed county executives for Chautauqua County. Glenzer is the first person to serve in the office that has passed away. Before Glenzer, Joseph Gerace served as county executive from 1975-1983.

Gerace was not in attendance last month when the other county executives gathered, however Glenzer praised Gerace, even though he was a Democrat and Glenzer was a Republican. “Joe is an outstanding example of someone that so loved Chautauqua County. He was very good,” he said.

Glenzer also praised the Chautauqua County Legislature, saying it was “one of the last vestiges of civility in government.”

Glenzer was a member of the Barker Volunteer Hose Company for 40 years, chairman of the original Fredonia Cable TV Board, and served on the Salvation Army Board of Directors for about 30 years and the SUNY Fredonia Alumni Board. He also was a longtime professor at SUNY Fredonia.

He earned his Ed.D from the University of Buffalo and his MS and BA from SUNY through the GI Bill. He volunteered for the U.S. Army from 1948 to 1951, during which he served one year in Alaska during the Korean War.

Funeral arrangements will be announced by the Larson-Timko Funeral Home in Fredonia.