Joseph Millard Glass (1920 – 2012)
Joseph (Joe) Millard Glass died on April 1, 2012, in Helena, Montana. He was born on March 14, 1920 in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada, to John Wesley and Harriet (Hattie) Millard Glass.
Joe started working at a very young age to help support his family and quit school his sophomore year of High School to become a steamboat deckhand on the Great Lakes. In 1940 he joined the Canadian Army in Chattum, Ontario, Canada. He was a bayonet instructor in Ottawa when he volunteered for the 2d Canadian Parachute Battalion in 1942. This battalion would be a part of a special force that combined United States and Canadian troops. The combined unit, known as the First Special Service Force (FSSF), trained intensively in Helena, Montana for a secret “suicide” mission. This is where Joe met his future wife, Dorothy Frances Strainer. They were married on March 6, 1943.
Joe fought in World War II as part of the FSSF which the Germans called “The Black Devils” due to their stealthy and deadly night raids. Joe returned a hero in 1945 where he reunited with Dorothy and eventually settled in Helena, MT and raised their four children. He worked hard to support his family, sometimes working as many as three jobs at one time. He worked as a cab driver for Taylor Taxi, drove gravel trucks, concrete mixers and paving machines for Helena Sand and Gravel Company, managed the Moose Club, sold Life Insurance, and held various positions at Brookside Dairy, Tubbs’ Market, Bill’s Bakery, Nalley’s Fine Foods, and sold cars for Dodge City Motors. In 1975 Joe & Dorothy started their own family business with their son, Robert (Donna), B&J Bingo and then Glass’ Fish ‘n Chips. Dorothy and Joe bought their home on Breckenridge in 1959 and lived there for over 50 years.
Joe and Dorothy sold their businesses and semi-retired in 1984; a year later they went to work part-time for their son, Robert, at the Glass Slipper for 20 years. Family was very important to Joe and Dorothy and they always worked hard to provide a good life for them.
Joe loved to sail boats, swim, hunt, fish and participate in any other outdoor sport that kept him active. He also loved traveling, reading, crossword puzzles, playing cards and billiards, watching movies and spending time with his family and friends. Joe and Dorothy had many friends and always attended the annual First Special Service Force reunions. Joe was greatly admired and revered for his service in this elite unit which is seen by many as the precursor of modern special forces units such as the Navy Seals, Green Berets and Delta Force.
Joe was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy, and his parents and siblings, Charles Glass, John (Jack) Glass and Ellen Wickes. He is survived by his children Charles (Barbara) Glass, Robert (Donna) Glass, Dottie (Roy) Maxted and Victoria Glass; 10 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Dorothy was the love of his life and they were married for over 67 years. We miss them very much and hope that they are together now with their many friends and family that preceded them in death.
We would like to thank Dr. Weiner and the Oncology staff at St. Peter’s Hospital.
A memorial service will be 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 11th at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. with burial with military honors to follow at Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison. A reception will follow the burial service at the Fort Harrison Service Club. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Joseph’s name are suggested to the Montana Military Museum Foundation, P.O. Box 125, Ft. Harrison, MT 59636. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.aswfuneralhome.com
Service Schedule
Service Schedule
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ajh'joe'collinson says
A very good man has departed this vale of tears. I visited Joe and Edith a number of years ago and can say nothing but good about them.
Rest in Peace
Alex &Marge Glasoe says
So sorry to hear of the loss of your dad. We are still in Az.so can’t make it to the funeral.
Allen Stenhjem says
Glass Family.
Joe will be missed by all off us, Dorthy was waiting God Bless ……..
Allen/Glenda
Bill Houston says
Bob,Dottie, Chuck, Vicki and families. It is with great sadness the passing of a great hero, but what a legacy he left. He was always a hero to me and someone I looked up to and admired my whole life. If Joe told me that is the way it is, I always believed him. He will be greatly missed.
Bob & Carol Utick & Family says
Please accept our condolences on the death of Joe. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Bob and Carol Utick
Steven Utick
Rob & Jennifer Marshall & Family
Brian&Jean Peacock says
Dear Chuck,Bob,Vic,Dot and families,sorry to learn of Joe’s passing.He is at peace now and back with your Mom.I have many fond memories of our times together with you and your folks.
God bless, Brian Peacock
Cari (Griffiths) Hutchison says
Bob & Donna,
I am so sorry to hear of Joe’s passing. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers through this difficult time.
Carol E. Kalberg Bonner says
Bob & family,
I remember meeting your Dad as a teen when Tom & I would go to Tubb’s for snacks! My Dad, Colonel Lou Kalberg had the highest regard for your Dad as did my father in law, General John Bonner. Having known Mark Radcliffe as a neighbor of twenty plus years, and visiting w/your parents at the Glass Slipper, I will be thinking of how kind & caring they were.
Sincerely,
Carol Bonner
Carolyn K. Pelletier says
To the Glass Family – I was so very sorry to read of Joe’s passing. It seems appropriate that he and Mark had the opportunity to cross over together. I feel as though I lost the last of my ‘surrogate’ fathers. I am honored to have know Joe and Dorothy for so many years. He will be greatly missed but I know that you have many good memories to help you through this difficult time. Please know he and Dorothy both touched many lives. My very deepest sympathy.
Darlene OLeary says
MY STEPFATHER WAS A FSSG THE BLACK DEVILS AND MY HEART GOES OUT TO EACH AND EVERYONE. I BABYSITTED THE 2 OLDEST ONES WHEN THEY LIVED BY PEOSTA. I HOPE I WILL FEEL LIKE COMING TO THE SERVICE.
Darlene Scott says
I was saddend this morning to learn of Joe’s passing. He was truly a wonderful man. You were so fortunate to have such a caring father, and I know how much he loved Dorothy. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Thank You Joe, for serving so bravely in the military under such horrific circumstances. Heaven now has an angel that deserves golden wings.
DEBBIE AND DEE SCHRAMM says
JUST WANT TO LET YOU KNOW HOW SORRY WE ARE FOR YOUR LOSS. UNCLE JOE WAS THE SWEETEST AND COMPASSIONATE PERSON I HAVE EVER KNOW. HE WILL BE MISSED BY ALL. WE LOVE HIM VERY MUCH. JUST REMEMBER YOU WILL HAVE ALL THE MEMORIES OF JOE. HE WAS ONE IN A MILLION. YOU ARE ALL IN OUR THOUGHTS AND WE LOVE YOU ALL. DEB AND DEE
Debra Michael says
My condolences to the family of Joe Glass. He was a true hero and I am honored to be in his association.
Sincerely,
Debra (Spidle) Michael
FSSF Association
Aubrey Spidle FSSF 6-1
1921-2010
Diana Campbell(daughter James H Anderson) says
Joe loved life and lived it to the fullest. He was fun to be around. I will miss him at the next reunion as we were going to have another dance.
My condolences to Joe’s family
Fred and Judy Bakke says
To the Family of Joe Glass,
It was a pleasure to know Joe, he was a very friendly person, he always had a nice smile when we saw him. I know you will all miss him. God bless Joe and all of you.
George and Jackie Lloyd says
Bob and Family,
Sorry to hear about the loss of your Dad.
George and Jackie LLoyd
Gianni Blasi says
Jannie Anderson says
My deepest sympathy to Joe’s family.
Jim Bogue says
Another very brave man who fought by my dad. I believe that Force will muster as One.
Jim
John Hart says
I had my last talk with Joe the Friday before he died, we talked about the upcoming tour that Joe was so much looking forward to. We have lots of plans for Joe while we are there. We will still carry out those plans and meet Joe on top of Defensa in June, only Joe will be making the climb with us in our hearts. Hugs to all of Joe’s family.
Joyce Jensen says
Chuck and family. I heard from LuAnn about the loss of your father. I never met him, but he certainly has my admiration and thanks for his life and military career!
God Bless him and all of you during this time and always.
Kori & Kyle Fanning says
Bob, Donna, Katie and Family,
Just wanted to send you all our condolences with Joe’s passing. He was a wonderful man and we feel so blessed to have known him for all these years. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Kori & Kyle
Larry & Ella Evinrude says
Bob, Donna and family, we are sorry to hear of the loss of your dad. Our thoughts are with your family at this time
Len & Patty Niemi says
Bob,Donna & Family,
So sorry to hear about the passing of Joe. He will truly be missed.
Len & Patty Niemi
Leon and Marsha Belville says
Bob, Donna and Family–Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and family.Joe was a special person. God Bless You All
Leon and Marsha
LUCIANO Bucci says
I am so sad…. i had the honour o interview him last reunion in edmonton… i will preserve that memories as my treasure… i was waiting him here in Italy the next june… to bring him one time again on top of La Defensa… Joe, we all miss you …
Luciano Bucci
President of
Winterline Venafro association
Lynn Satterthwaite Loving says
Dear Dottie, Bob, Vicki, and Chuck,
Today, I heard on the Huckabee Report that a Josehp Glass had passed away. I am so very sorry for your pain. I will remember your dad fondly from Dottie’s and my high school days. He always had a smile on his face when you would see him.
Maurie Kraut & Melody Lundquist says
Bob, Donna, Katie & family,
We would like to extend our heartfelt sympathy to all of you at Joe’s passing. Both he and Dorothy were special people and will always be remembered fondly by those whose lives they touched.
We also offer our regrets at not being able to attend Joe’s service. Although we cannot be there in person, our thoughts and prayers are with you. May God strengthen each of you and fill you with His peace.
Pam & Charlie Brown says
Dear Glass Family ~
We were so sorry to hear of Joe’s passing. He was really a wonderful guy and fun to talk to.
He will be greatly missed. May he rest in peace and know that our thoughts and prayers are with you.
May God Bless,
Pam & Charlie Brown
Helena, MT
Rhonda Strainer says
Dear Glass Cousins,
I’m so very sad about Uncle Joe. I’m glad that I was able to see him on Sunday, March 11th. He had on his favorite purple shirt that Aunt Dorothy gave him and he was eating purple grapes. He was so fortunate to have such a great family to look after him and give him such good care and love after his precious Dorothy left his side. You are and will be in my thoughts and prayers in the days ahead.
Love your cousin,
Rhonda
Richard Ringo says
To the Glass Family,
You have my deepest sympathy.
My late Father, Lt. E.A. Ringo (1918 – 1991) was also in the Force (Svc Co), so I feel that I have lost a family member. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Richard Ringo
Sandi Coyle Benson says
I am sorry to hear of Joe’s passing. Dorothy & he are together again. May the days ahead bring you all peace and understanding. “God Bless”
Sharon Nelson says
To Bob and Donna, I was so sorry to hear of Joe’s passing. God now has another HERO beside him. He and Ray are probably hooting pool in heaven and having the time of their lives. I am so sure that he and Dorothy are now side by side. Sorry I can’t be there for the service but I am there in thought.
Sharon
Willow George says
My love and prayers are with you all.