James W. Glass

James W. Glass, curator and builder of the Hinsdale Theatre Wurlitzer/Kimball Pipe Organ, husband to Hope (Johnson); father to Jamie (Matt) Engelman and Bart Glass (Lauren Gray); grandfather to Logan Cederstrand, Chase Cederstrand, Ellie Engelman, Cody Engelman, and Olivia Glass; brother to Bob (Karen) Glass, Carl (Sherry) Glass and Louise (Mike) Forbes; brother in law to Leif (Liz) Johnson, late Mark (Cheryl) Johnson, Eric (Kyle) Johnson, Joyce (Don) Ross; uncle to Jenny (Pete), Mindi (Danny), Beth (Dave), Lauren (Joe), Matt (Rachel), Tori (Eric), Emma, Jackie, Amanda, Nick, Sean, Paul, Rebecca (Tony), and Tim; great uncle to Abbey, Finn, Jake, Ben, Avery, Emily, Lily, Julian, Nathan, Aidan, Megan, Joey, Josh, Sam, Brian, Maggie, Hannah, Daniel, Elizabeth, Maddi, Xander, Damian, and Alex.

Jim was born in Oak Park, IL in 1946.  He attended IIT and studied electrical engineering.  After school he began his work as a projectionist at the Hinsdale Theatre.  He collected organ parts from theatres, stadiums, and churches around the country and built a magnificent pipe organ.  It is still renowned for its excellence and missed by organ enthusiasts.  Jim worked as a paperboy, a film projectionist, a furniture mover, an electrician, a handyman, an antique furniture repairer, and more.  He seemed to know something about everything.

While working at the Hinsdale Theatre and on the organ, Jim met Hope at Soukup’s Hardware store.  They dated, married, and had two children together.  He was an amazing father.  He helped Bart and Jamie with math and science homework even after long days of hard work.  Their successes in life are owed to the kindness, intelligence, and example he set.  As Grumpa to Logan, Chase, Ellie, Cody, and Olivia he left an impression that will last a lifetime.  Jim will be missed by all the people lucky enough to have met him, but most of all by his family. 

Visitation will be held Friday April 22, 4:00pm until time of Remembrance's 7:00pm at Adolf Funeral Home 7000 S. Madison St. Willowbrook IL. In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the Michigan Theatre in Ann Arbor, https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?id=17&name=E3313

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