Local man remembered as a craftsman who cared about his hometown
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Brian Glynn
JANESVILLE — Brian D. Glynn was a craftsman who wanted to preserve his community's past so it would look beautiful for future generations.
Glynn, 44, a life-long Janesville resident, died Saturday after a fall from a bridge in downtown Chicago. Authorizes say Glynn fell to the concrete landing at North Columbus Drive and East North Water Street on the banks of the Chicago River.
The accident site was several blocks from the end of Chicago's annual St. Patrick's Day parade.
Glynn was the owner of Homestead Carpentry and served on the Janesville Historic Commission.
"He was a very good carpenter, a good craftsman," said Dick Gates, sales manager at Marling Lumber. "He was fortunate enough to be trained by and work for H&B Quality Builders."
Gates remembers Glynn's first day on the job at H&B.
"I got to the job site early in the morning, and there he was sweeping the floor—before he had even started working for them," Gates recalled.
That work ethic—and his attention to detail—made him popular with local builders.
"A lot of contractors used him for finish work; with something like an open stairway, which is difficult to do," Gates said.
Glynn served on the Janesville Historic Commission, an often-thankless job. The commission does site inspections and works out disputes with building owners.
Brad Cantrell, city community development director, described Glynn as "always very thoughtful."
Judy Adler, a city staffer who worked with the historic commission, said Glynn's background made him a valuable member of the group.
"He was very thoughtful. He had good ideas," Adler said.
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Mar 18, 2009 at 7:55 p.m.
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And as far as my 'curiousity', I though maybe being he was a craftsman, he was doing some sort of construction work on a bridge. That was my first thought, I wasn't seeking any 'gory' details.
Mar 18, 2009 at 7:53 p.m.
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CVT..I get what you are saying, and if what you are saying is to implemented, then it should hold true for a prestige community member or a gang banger who got capped in the head over a drug deal. Either it applies to all or none. I certainly wouldn't want my loved ones details posted either, but I do understand that death records are public records.
Mar 18, 2009 at 2:14 p.m.
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Imagine having the details of your death posted into a newspaper for the community to read. Tasteless, not to mention a violation of your privacy. This may be a NEWS-paper, but the tragic death of a respected community and family member is not "news" it's simply that; a tragedy.
Mar 18, 2009 at 11:43 a.m.
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good mitch i am glad for the families sake you did and before it is taking down my prayers are with all of you who knew this beloved man, and especially to his family.
Mar 18, 2009 at 11:32 a.m.
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Mitch you did the right thing
Mar 18, 2009 at 11:09 a.m.
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I did want to add, I am truly sorry for instilling any further hurt by asking what happened. I meant no harm. Honestly. I pray you all can heal your pain and remember him for the wonderful person he was in your lives.
Mar 18, 2009 at 11:06 a.m.
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TO those of you who are stating that those of US who are "curious" as to what happened are nosey and it is none of our business..I understand that this individual may have been close to you, and the details of his death may be a sore subject with you. BUT, this is in the news, and the sole purpose of a newspaper is for people to READ about the news. It is human nature to "wonder" how something happen. Therefore, no one is being insensitive, they are just following through with the desire to read the news. You all do the same thing on a daily basis, just stop and think how many times you may say "why" to a particular person telling you a story who has left out factual details. At least where I am concerned, I meant no disrespect, and with the exception of a few out there that thrive on others pain, I am quite certain that the others didn't mean anything other than concern as well. So, instead of basing your opinions on others subjectively, take into consideration that if you didn't know this person, you would be asking the same questions in most cases.
Mar 17, 2009 at 10:26 p.m.
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To anyone wondering what happened to the other article, I asked the Gazette to take down the comment section, I didnt agree with what SOME people were saying. Perhaps they just deleted the whole story.
Mar 17, 2009 at 9:23 p.m.
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From the Chicago tribune..."An autopsy and police investigation determined it was an accident, and thus no toxicology exam was necessary."
In all seriousness, the local authorities and the Gazette could learn a thing or two from this statement.
Mar 17, 2009 at 9:05 p.m.
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Sorry, I never wanted to know any horrible details and I do feel for family and friends. This is a big story with no info on what happened. Maybe the Gazette should have printed nothing at all?
Mar 17, 2009 at 8:02 p.m.
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http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local...
Mar 17, 2009 at 7:59 p.m.
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My thoughts are prayer go out to Brian's family. For anyone interested in more information, there are plenty of sources out there such as WGN Chicago.
Mar 17, 2009 at 6:34 p.m.
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to the family sorry for your loss for the people who seem to think they need the horrible details mind your own business
Mar 17, 2009 at 2:53 p.m.
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Pat is a good friend of my wife, she and Brian have been very kind and supportive to us over the years. Words can not express how deeply sad we are for their families loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you always! As far as the nasty/insensitive comments go. If you don't know what happened to Brian, you don't need to know! Again, we are so sorry for your loss!
Mar 17, 2009 at 2:43 p.m.
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Why is there no factual story associated with the details of this incident, and why has the first posting of the story been pulled from the website? Falling off bridges is a relatively rare event, and regardless of how nice someone is, it would seem appropriate to include the situational facts at least occasionally in this paper's articles. Perhaps someone else might even be saved from a similar situation if we knew what to avoid.
Mar 17, 2009 at 12:37 p.m.
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Please, please...forgive my incredibly STUPID carelessness in having posted that without having first checked it for typos.
Mar 17, 2009 at 12:08 p.m.
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Well Said, I meant.
Mar 17, 2009 at 12:07 p.m.
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Thank you spinmaster. Well daid.
Mar 17, 2009 at 9:28 a.m.
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We're gonna miss you Brian! Our hearts go out to Pat, Kendra, Mitch and Rita as well as the rest of the family. Brian was a great guy. I think the Gazette did a great job on the article. Thank you.
Mar 17, 2009 at 9:15 a.m.
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AMEN SPINMASTER... SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS OF A FRIEND
Mar 17, 2009 at 8:21 a.m.
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I'll miss you Brian. And to anyone who is "curious" about how this happened, I have a suggestion: If you're not close enough to the family to talk to someone who was there, then it's not any of your business. Stop pretending it is. Prayers to Brian's family.
Mar 17, 2009 at 7:38 a.m.
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Great article, Gazette. Thank you. Miss you Brian, Love Mitch.
Mar 17, 2009 at 7:19 a.m.
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This is just so sad. Thoughts and prayers are with his family. Life can be way too short.
Mar 17, 2009 at 5:41 a.m.
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It seems that we lose the good ones first! Praise God for how Brian positively affected those around him! I want to give my loved ones a call today to tell them I love them.
Mar 17, 2009 at 4:23 a.m.
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Yeah- what happened? was he just waling across the bridge and slipped or something?
Mar 16, 2009 at 11:51 p.m.
Mar 16, 2009 at 9:29 p.m.
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We will miss you Brian. I'll remember your handiwork everytime I visit the New Basics store. Hope It's St Pats Day everyday wherever you are now.
Mar 16, 2009 at 9:15 p.m.
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Brian was a great man, and always kind and open hearted to my brother and I, good friends of the family. He will be greatly missed. My heart goes out to you Patty, Kendra and Mitch!
Mar 16, 2009 at 9:04 p.m.
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How did he fall? Was he working on the bridge? That is too bad. I am so sorry to hear this. Keep your hearts open, and our prayers are with all of his family and friends!
Mar 16, 2009 at 4:45 p.m.
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ALL OF US HERE AT MARLING'S ARE STUNNED AND SADDENED BY THE NEWS. BRIAN WAS NOT JUST A CUSTOMER, HE WAS A GOOD FRIEND. OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO HIS FAMILY.
Mar 16, 2009 at 4:10 p.m.
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Our love and prayers go out to AP and family.
Mar 16, 2009 at 3:06 p.m.
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Condolences to the Glynn family. Pat, your friends are here for you & just know you're in our thoughts & prayers.
Mar 16, 2009 at 3:06 p.m.
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WE ARE SAD TO HEAR ABOUT BRIAN. HE WAS A VERY THOUGHTFUL AND GOOD MAN. HE WILL BE MISSED BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN. PAT, ME(JENNIE) AND MY MOM(DAWN) ARE HERE FOR YOU!! KEEP YOUR HEAD UP,WE ARE ALL HERE FOR YOU! YOU ARE IN OUR PRAYERS!!
Mar 16, 2009 at 3:05 p.m.
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WE ARE SAD TO HEAR ABOUT BRIAN. HE WAS A VERY THOUGHTFUL AND GOOD MAN. HE WILL BE MISSED BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN. PAT, ME(JENNIE) AND MY MOM(DAWN) ARE HEAR FOR YOU!! KEEP YOUR HEAD UP,WE ARE ALL HERE FOR YOU! YOU ARE IN OUR PRAYERS!!
Mar 16, 2009 at 12:08 p.m.
Mar 16, 2009 at 12:07 p.m.
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