Mr. Robert F. Glidden

Seventy-one years ago, the fifth child of William and Catherine Glidden was born: Robert Francis Glidden, a man who would impact the lives of those in his Holyoke community in countless ways, told and untold. On Wednesday evening, he passed away. The city of Holyoke was his place of birth, and by choice, of his lifelong residence. By his own admission, he had no desire to be anywhere else. His love of Holyoke was rooted in his love of the people in the community, to whom he always had a sense of unwavering loyalty. Bobby made many of his enduring friendships through his playing sports, beginning as a young boy playing baseball daily at Avery Field. In high school, as a member of Holyoke Catholic’s baseball team, Bobby truly shined, playing exemplary second-base, and finishing one season with a record average of .490. He graduated from St. Jerome High School in 1956, and shortly after signed a professional baseball contract with a Baltimore Orioles minor league squad. Friends of his still maintain that had Bobby not missed Holyoke so much while playing elsewhere in the country, he could have gone all the way to the Major Leagues. Later in life, after a stint in the army, he became well known for his basketball prowess in local adult leagues, where his toughness was unmatched. His passing is that of a true Holyoke icon. At the time of his death, he was employed as the athletic director at the Holyoke Boys and Girls Club, what he often called the best job of his life. In that role, he influenced the lives of many inner-city youth. He is survived by his wife Susan Boyle-Glidden, his son Billy Glidden, his daughters Beth Glidden Bartley of New York and Kristen Glidden of Arizona, his grandchildren Anna, Mikey, and Myles, his brothers Bill Glidden of Minnesota and Fred Glidden of Holyoke, and his faithful friend Margaret “Chloe� Boyle of Holyoke. He will be greatly missed. The funeral will be held Monday at 9 A.M. from the Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home, 2049 Northampton St., Holyoke, MA, followed by a Mass at 10 A.M. in St. Jerome Church, Holyoke. Burial will follow in St. Jerome Cemetery. Calling hours will be held Sunday from 1 P.M. to 5 P.M. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations may be made to The Billy Glidden Educational Fund, care of David W. Glidden, Market President, TD Bank, 1441 Main St., Springfield, MA 01103.