Obituary of Fredrick Lee Glynn

Fredrick Lee Glynn passed away on Monday November 27, 2023.  Born in Lockport on December 12, 1942, he was the son of the late Lyman F. and Dorothy Wendler Glynn.

Fred was a 1960 graduate of Lockport High School where he played football and baseball.  In 1972, he attended General Motors Institute for Basic Management Training certification. Fred was a member of the National Guard and the Military Police.

Following high school graduation, Fred began working for New York State with the drawbridge authority for two years.  For the majority of Fred’s career, he was a loyal employee at General Motors Harrison Radiator Division in Lockport and Buffalo for 39 years, starting in production and was then promoted to supervisor, retiring in 2001.  Due to his strong work ethic and not one to sit still, Fred never fully retired and continued to work in several capacities after his retirement from Harrison’s. After the 9/11 event, Fred worked for Transportation Security Authority (TSA) at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport, a job he took very seriously.  Other jobs included Hamburg Gaming as a security officer and Sears, Roebuck and Company selling appliances, often offering his opinion about the products.  Fred concluded his work career in June 2023 as a school bus driver for Student Transportation of America where he transported children safely to school. Fred was a handyman and enjoyed home improvement projects and maintaining meticulous landscaping.  Without hesitation, Fred would assist his children with home projects whenever they needed his strength and expertise.   

Fred was best known as a proud family man of 27 and for creating special bonds with many friends.  He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren by traveling around the country with them, especially to Walt Disney World, and attending their athletic events, recitals, graduations, school activities, religious sacraments, birthdays, and other celebrations. Dad/ Papa did not miss many of these events even after long work days since he rarely declined any overtime opportunities in order to provide for his family. He always enjoyed holiday time with family which included his favorite foods, plenty of beer, and many, many laughs. He burst with pride over his children and grandchildren all of whom will miss their Dad and Papa deeply. 

Fred and his wife Joan enjoyed many social events with special groups of friends. Trips to Ireland, Hawaii, and Mexico were highlights in their life together. They never missed a chance to be with family and friends, would often be double or tripled booked, and the last couple to leave parties. They were also known as friends to their childrens’ and grandchildrens’ friends. 

He was an avid and, at times, a frustrated Buffalo Bills fan for many years and a Notre Dame football fan as a backup. For many seasons, Fred was a Bills season ticket holder and organized several Bills home opener games for his entire family.   Football Sundays included Sunday dinners with the family. 

Fred was the disciplinarian and backbone of the Glynn family and throughout his life, he continued to encourage his family to always stick together. He supported his children in their quest to be strong and independent and expected that they, too, work hard. He started each day by reading the newspaper and drinking a cup of coffee, then would summarize many articles for his family making sure they were fully aware of what was happening in the world around them and as a means to protect them as they began each day.  Fred displayed love, strength, and faith through his final day with his family by his side.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years Joan (nee Stevens) Glynn, father of Michelle (Brian) Bradley, Sharon (Gregory) Saraf, Sean (Barbara) Glynn, Susan (Robert) Brooks and Tara (Michael) Wasik and grandchildren Emily (Eddy Wyzykowski), Erica and Elizabeth Bradley, Alexis (Zachary Connerton), Arianna and Cole Saraf, Alex, Brody and Chase Glynn, Zachary, Joshua and Jacob Brooks and Natalie Wasik.

Friends may call on Friday December 1^st  from 4-7PM at Prudden and Kandt Funeral Home, 242 Genesee Street, Lockport.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday December 2^nd at 10 AM at St. John the Baptist RC Church, 168 Chestnut St., Lockport.  Interment will be in Cold Spring Cemetery.  Memorial donations to JDRF, would be appreciated by the family.