Benjamin G. Glenn Sr.

Benjamin Gregory Glenn, Sr. was born on January 28, 1951 in Baltimore, MD to the late Irene Wells and the late Benjamin Norman Glenn. Although born in Baltimore, Ben spent the first five years of his life, as well as many summers, in South Carolina on his grand-mother Olivia's farm. Ben continued to love South throughout his life. Ben was educated in the public school systems of Baltimore City and Anne Arundel County. He graduated from Arundel High School. Soon thereafter, he entered into the Carpenters Apprenticeship Program where he became certified as a Journeyman Carpenter after completing the 4 year program. Under the mentorship of his uncle Edward "Kit" Glenn, Ben was elected President of Carpenters Local 544, where he served in that capacity for over 2 decades. In addition to his love of Christ, Ben loved music and sang in several bands starting with "Little Nate and the Dell Tones" from 1968-1972. In 1973 he joined "The Zebra Band" and later he formed the "Person to Person" Band where he was the lead singer until 1986. Ben's trade as a carpenter opened many doors. He was elected President of the Carpenter's Union local 544 and served in that capacity for many years. Ben served as COPE Director of the Metropolitan Baltimore Council AFL-CIO Union for 7 years. Later Ben was appointed International Representative for the International Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America. He was the first African America to hold such a high position in UBC. His successes as a union leader led to an entre into politics. Ben was elected Vice Chair of the Baltimore City Planning Commission and in 2014 ascended to the office of President of Maryland State Planning Commission. Closer to home, Ben was also "appointed" Treasurer of the campaign finance department of "Friends of Cheryl Glenn." Ben was his wife Cheryl's biggest advocate and a constant partner in politics. Ben and Cheryl were a true life partnership! Ben was a devoted husband, family man, and an extraordinary father. When he married the love of his life Cheryl on October 27, 1990 he brought his daughter Karen and sons Benjamin, Jr. and Steven to the union. As a result of the union Ben became "Pop Pop" to daughters D. Nikila "Niki" Savage and Cheron "Yodi" Bishop. Ben and Cheryl were also blessed to "parent" their granddaughter, Taylor N. Bishop. Ben instilled his faith and love of Christ in all of his children and grandchildren. Family was more important than anything, except God, and he spent countless hours constantly teaching his children and grandchildren the importance of preparing yourself for life. Most importantly, he never stopped preaching & teaching that you must have your own relationship with God, and if you do that, you will be successful in life. Always looking out for his family, Ben utilized his exemplary carpentry skills in rehabbing a newly purchased home for his new family. In recent years, these skills were further used to build and complete a beautiful 3 story addition to the family home. That addition was for the sole purpose of bringing people together to eat, worship God, and just fellowship with each other. Ben had a true love of children. He inspired and mentored all of the young people that he encountered. He also had a positive impact on everyone he met. Ben's spirit of generosity was clearly demonstrated through his sharing of his time, wisdom, faith, skills, and finances. Ben always told his wife Cheryl that "how you live, is how you will die". Ben's transition to Heaven truly exemplified that; there was no pain, no suffering, but a smile on his beautiful face. Ben's beautiful memories will live on in the hearts of: his devoted wife of almost 25 years, Cheryl; Daughters, D. Nikila Savage, Karen Glenn, Cheron (Yodi) Bishop and Taylor N. Bishop; Sons, Benjamin, Jr. (Benji0, Steven, and Michael A. (Mike-Mike) Savage, Aaron J. (Debo) Savage, Brandon T. (Bran-Bran) Savage, Joshua M. Savage, David W. Bowman 4, and Kamal I. Glenn; Granddaughters Jessica Bishop, Keyona I. Bowman, and Karrine Lyons-Glenn. He leaves to cherish his memory: Brother, Quentin Glenn; Sisters, Greta Theresa Hines, Ervine "Peanut" Thomas, Arlene "Fuzzy" Walls, Lauren "Dinky" Wells and Cynthia Leah Glenn, who proceeded him in death. He also leaves behind his devoted sisters-in-law, Joyce Smith, Tiffany Glenn, and Darlene Milling-Bey; brothers-in-law with whom he had a very special friendship, Larry Hines and Jerome L. Jennings. Ben enjoyed a very close relationship with his nephews Quinn White (Deena) and Jerome G. Jennings (Cortina), niece Marie White; cousins Geneva Boone and Dorothea Adams; special friends Shirley & Alton Hill, Spencer & Juanita Carter, John Grimm, Billy Halbert (Kathi), Eliis & Renee Harris, Alfred& Harriet McDuffie, Retired Baltimore City Councilwoman Agnes Welch and City Councilman William "Pete" Welch, and William Mulroney (Colleen). The union family also had a few special friendships with Ben and they are: Loretta Johnson (AFT), Glen & Sharon Middleton (AFSCME), Ernie & Dot Grecco (AFL-CIO), Frank & Geri Spencer (Carpenters), Mike and Joanne Capelli (Carpenters), Bill Michaelowski (Carpenters), Steve & Caroline Flynn, and a host of other family and friends.

Tributes

Benjamin G. Glenn Sr.

January 28, 1951 - May 30, 2015