Glenn E. Wolfe

LEOMINSTER, MA - Little did Clinton and his wife, Kathryn (Fisher) Wolfe, know that the blue-

eyed baby boy born to them in Shiremanstown, PA, on 3/3/33 would grow to be the independent,

sometimes maverick, and trailblazer he became. A source of abundant pride and, yes, a cause of

a few gray hairs, “Glennie”, as his mom affectionately called him, was an involved

member of his local church who considered becoming a minister in his youth.

Active in his high school drama club, Glenn equally enjoyed working behind the

scenes as a stage manager or the limelight of leading roles. Because of his natural

leadership, likability, intelligence, and humor, he was elected president of his class

freshmen, sophomore, and junior years. Yet, in later years, he was most proud of

being remembered as its class clown. Wanderlust struck the summer following

his sophomore year, much to his parents’ dismay. Never breaking his promise of

writing to them weekly and attending church, Glenn hitchhiked to Wyoming, where

he learned to ride horseback and found hard but fulfilling work on a hunting ranch.

During his junior year, opting to work rather than continue on the high school’s

football team, he earned enough money to buy a motorcycle and returned to that ranch the following

summer. “Losing track of time,” he missed the first month of his senior year. His principal was not

happy with his truant senior. But nose to the grindstone, Glenn graduated from Mechanicsburg High

School in 1952. Following graduation, Glenn joined the army and was stationed at Fort Devens.

On Valentine’s Day 1953, Fate brought Private Wolfe to the Commodore Ballroom in Lawrence,

where he met his future wife, G. Elizabeth Lister of Methuen, MA. During his two-year courtship with

Bette, Glenn knew he wanted to marry her; thus, he went to Officer Candidate School in Fort Sill,

Oklahoma, to better himself. 1st Lieutenant Wolfe married Bette at St. Andrew’s Church in Methuen

on April 23, 1955. He would refer to her as “his bride” and carry her photo in his wallet for the next

70 years. In 1956, mobile home in tow, Glenn kept a watchful eye on Bette in his rearview truck

mirror, who followed him with their infant daughter Donna in their second-hand car. Destination,

California. Here, as a registered nurse, Bette helped support her growing family while Glenn worked

at a gas station and pursued a doctorate degree. He graduated from Los Angeles Chiropractic

College on June 4, 1959. After the birth of their son William in Pasadena, Ashby, MA would become

their new home in 1960, with the goal of establishing a chiropractic practice in Fitchburg, MA. As

one of the first chiropractors in the state, this was a trailblazing move that ultimately paved the

way for future chiropractors; it wasn’t until 1966 that Massachusetts successfully passed licensing

to officially legalize chiropractors. “Doc”, as so many now called him, served as the President of

the Worcester County Chiropractic Society for several years during the 1960s. Building this office

together, renovating the old farmhouse, always with a dog or two or three, cultivating a garden,

welcoming another son, Thomas, in 1964, Glenn and Bette, active in the Ashby community, spent

some of the happiest years of their lives. The family moved again in 1972, this time to Leominster,

where at their residence, Glenn established his practice. Doc was a gifted chiropractor. With healing

hands, an understanding ear, a sympathetic heart, and a more than generous spirit, with Bette

faithfully, lovingly by his side, they built a thriving, family-oriented chiropractic office. So many

patients became friends. Theirs was an iron partnership of abiding love. “We’re a pair,” or “Two peas

in a pod,” they affirmed throughout marriage as they shared great accomplishments and profound

tragedy. Most notable was an accident involving their youngest son, Tom. While responding to a call

as a volunteer on the Norwich University Fire Brigade, the truck overturned, rendering Cadet Wolfe

quadriplegic. Always the strong father, Glenn, with Bette by his side, cared for Tom at their home

until his passing in 2007. Glenn, who passed peacefully at his home as was his wish, is survived by

his daughter Donna Lanza, her husband Peter, and their children Jonathan and Kathryn and her

partner Andrew Paladino; his son William Wolfe and his wife Linda; grandchildren Paul Wolfe and his

wife Kelly; Jessica Chagnon, Sarah Chagnon-Davis and her husband Andrew; great grandchildren

Ann Chagnon, Kylie Poissant, Rylee Miller and MacKenna Wolfe; and a great-great grandson Kaiden

Billings. He was predeceased by his wife Bette, youngest son Thomas L. Wolfe, and grandson

Raymond Wolfe.

A private graveside service at Evergreen Cemetery is planned in the spring, where he will

be buried beside his beloved wife and son. A celebration of Glenn and Bette’s lives will follow

the service. The family extends deep appreciation to Better Care Nursing and Beacon Hospice

Care, friends and relatives for their care, guidance concern and support; heartfelt gratitude

to the aides who were his special angels and became family— Donna, Kim, Gerri, and Mercy,

and especially a debt of gratitude an to Susan “Shazam” Hawk whom he loved like a daughter

and husband Bill who adopted Brindle, Glenn’s dog; and our and Doc’s dearest and most

faithful friend Fred Robichaud. Whether we called you “Pops”, “Doc”, “Dad”, or “Colonel

Tink” because you believed everything could be improved upon if tinkered with, you were

deeply loved. For your endless ditties and jokes, your ability to nickname almost anyone, your

generosity and support, and for so much more, you will be greatly missed. You were always a

presence and will always remain so in our hearts. You’re with your son and bride now — "7-8

forever ".