Glenn Gaylord passed away peacefully on Sunday afternoon, the 15th of October, 2023, after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s.
He was born and raised in Garrettsville, OH to Ralph Hobart Gaylord and Madeline Macie (Maciejewski) Gaylord, both of whom preceded him in death. Glenn’s younger brother Sam and younger sisters Jeanne Sibert and Ellen Gaylord also passed away before him. He graduated from James A. Garfield High School in 1959 and enlisted in the United States Navy. In the Navy Glenn was trained as an Electrician’s Mate and served aboard the USS Fulton (AS-11), a submarine tender. After his discharge in 1963 Glenn met his wife of 30 years Hannah “Pudgey” (Robinson) Gaylord and they settled in the St. Mary’s section of Wharton, NJ where they raised their three boys: Thom, Donald, and Michael.
Glenn worked as an electrician in various settings until his retirement from Dover General Hospital, a job where he could walk to work every day and where he spent the final 20 years of his career. His many friends and neighbors could easily recognize him by the sight of his camouflage “Aussie” hat that he always wore and his hearty “Good morning, good morning,” which he called out to everyone he encountered regardless of the time of day.
When Tommy’s first little league coach approached Glenn to take over the role of head coach of the Wharton American Legion team, Glenn enthusiastically agreed and coached the team for the next decade for all three of his boys, including a spell between Donald and Michael where he had no sons playing. A lifelong fan of the Cleveland Indians, Glenn spoke often of his childhood idol “Rapid” Robert Feller, while coaching his boys in pitching, hitting, and catching. He went out of his way to treat each of his players as if they were his own children, playing no favorites and setting an example of good sportsmanship for all. Though it would certainly be frowned upon today—and would likely get him in a lot of trouble—he has been remembered fondly by many of his players for driving them all back home every night after practice in the back of his old red Chevy pick-up truck.
Glenn was a volunteer for the Wharton First-Aid Squad, for which he acted as President in 1973. He and Pudgey always took great joy in the annual past-presidents’ dinner, which was always their “fancy night out” and the only time the boys ever saw their dad in a coat or tie. Glenn was an avid fisherman, hunter, and all-around outdoorsman. He spent most weekends with his friends and boys in the outdoors, or working on the house, or gathering, cutting, stacking, and restacking firewood, which was always a labor of love for the joy of a wood fire in winter.
After his first marriage ended, Glenn lived with his dear friend April LaFerrara and they eventually moved together to their 15-acre getaway on the Robinson River in Madison County, Virginia. He and April kept house together for the remaining 30 years of his life. The love and care she gave our dad as he struggled with Alzheimer’s through the last few years of his life will remain with us always; he loved her very much and truly would have been lost in that darkening forest without her.
Glenn is survived by April LaFerrara and his three sons: Thom and his wife Virginia of Cedar Knolls, NJ; Donald and his wife Alison Bell of Lexington, VA; and Michael and his wife Colleen of Charlottesville, VA. He is also survived by his grand-daughter Cori and her husband Zak Olver—Thom’s daughter; his twin grand-children Schuyler and James—Donald and Alison’s daughter and son; and Danny and Shayne Gaylord—Michael and Colleen’s boys. Glenn will sadly miss seeing his four great-grandchildren grow up. They are Lily Marie and Theo Olver and Braiden and Orion Gaylord—Shayne’s boys.
Visitation was held at Mallory-DeHaven-Carlson Funeral Home & Cremation Services, on Tuesday, October 24th.. Glen was taken to Park Cemetery where he was honored by the military, and lovingly laid to rest.
In lieu of flowers please donate to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave. Floor 17 Chicago, IL 60601.For online condolences go to www.carlsonfuneralhomes.com,
