An Unsung Hero Heads West

Gene Glaser, a Putnam SCORE volunteer, is relocating to Texas. ERIC GROSS Putnam County’s loss is Dallas, Texas’s gain.

Gene Glaser of Mahopac, a 93-yearold career businessman, who for the past seven years dedicated his life to assisting future entrepreneurs through the local chapter of SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives), has decided to head west to live with his family.

Glaser, who worked for 40 years in the beer brewery business and for 30 years as a realtor, enjoyed his stint with SCORE tremendously.

SCORE volunteers provide confidential one-to-one and team business counseling to future businessmen and businesswomen.

Like Glaser, SCORE volunteers hail from every facet of the business community. Some have worked at large corporations. Others have served in the military or worked for local or federal government. Countless others have spent years cultivating their own small business.

Another of Putnam SCORE’s original counselors, Jim Eppinger of Carmel, said, “Volunteer counselors are ready to give their time and business insights back to emerging and existing business owners. What better way to use the knowledge you’ve spent years developing than to mentor someone who is new or struggling in the business world?”

Glaser described his association with SCORE as “heaven sent. I love helping my community. The economy depends on small business. My days with SCORE were some of my most memorable. I really feel terrible that I am leaving, but who knows; perhaps I’ll become involved with SCORE again in Texas.”

Glaser was born in Philadelphia before his family relocated to South Jersey. He and his late wife, Jane, who passed away in 1994 two months shy of the couple’s 52nd anniversary, relocated to Mahopac in 1949. In addition to serving SCORE, Glaser volunteers with Support Connection—a Yorktownbased organization that assists breast and ovarian cancer survivors, as well as the Masons.

Glaser is an amazing man for his age. When asked if he felt 93, Glaser replied: “Heck no! Look at me. I stand tall. I have a full head of hair and am always dapperly dressed. Even after my recent heart attack and recuperation, I don’t feel like 93. As a matter of fact I am planning for the next 15 to 20 years!”

Glaser and his wife had no children but he remains very close with his siblings— Kathryn from Texas, Mary from Philadelphia, and George from South Jersey.

While Glaser admitted being sad leaving “the place I love and have called home for decades, I am blessed that I will be living whatever the Good Lord has in store for me with my family.”

Glaser has a great sense of humor, and, when asked how he would like to be remembered in Putnam, the gentleman piped up: “How about, ‘The old goofer is gone!’”

Eppinger lauded Glaser as a “great resource. Gene provided more than 8,000 hours to our chapter. He served as secretary and treasurer and made scores of calls confirming and scheduling appointments for SCORE. Gene created and maintained our file system. He was the glue that held this chapter together always with a smile on his face. He never missed a SCORE meeting or an appointment. His knowledge in the business world has aided countless future businesspeople throughout our county. We all wish him well.”

On a personal note, this reporter also serves as a volunteer with SCORE who has observed Glaser over the years working with prospective new business owners. Gene is a treasure who will be missed. It was a pleasure being associated with such a fine man.

As Glaser left a recognition luncheon last week at Smalley’s Inn in Carmel, Eppinger told the soon-to-be-resident of Texas: “As our Sheriff Don Smith would say if he was here today: ‘God Bless—Keep the Faith—Godspeed, and remember, don’t speed!’”