Obituary for Marc Stephen Glassman
It is with great sadness that the family of Marc Stephen Glassman, 73, of Lunenburg, and formerly of St. John’s, NL, announce his passing on Saturday, January 29, 2022, at South Shore Regional Hospital, Bridgewater, NS.
Born in New York City, NY, he was the son of the late Milton and Gwen (Weinfield) Glassman. Besides his parents, Marc was predeceased by his daughter Shaina and sister Susan.
Marc is survived by his wife Deborah and son Stephen (Jessica Pynn) of St. John’s, NL, Stephen’s mother Joanne Dunne Glassman (David Weeks), of St. Phillips, NL, Cousin Marty Frumkin (Sofia) of Middleton, NJ and his soul brother Dennis Whittle (Linda) of Cummings, GA.
Marc’s keen intellect combined with a genuine interest in the welfare of others led him to pursue a career in teaching, with his first major appointment in the rural south of Georgia. This experience provided firsthand insights into the impact of inter-generational illiteracy and was to inform the rest of Marc’s professional career. Graduating from University of Georgia with a Doctorate in Education in 1977, Marc pursued academic opportunities around the US, and on a whim, with one last resume to send off, he noticed an opening at a little-known university in Newfoundland, Canada. Ever the adventurer, that fall he joined the Faculty of Education at Memorial University where he would spend the next 40 years providing literally thousands of Education students with the skills required to help Newfoundland children learn how to read and write.
Apart from his family, Marc drew his greatest joy in life from his teaching and interactions with students. Whether in the classroom or in his teaching online, he imparted his wisdom and regaled his students with stories of classroom experiences in Georgia. But underneath that warm, wry humour, he also offered essential insights of how children learn and how good teachers can facilitate that.
Despite many hardships early in life, there was also serendipity, not the least of which was his chance meeting with Deborah in 1994. A storybook romance ensued, and they enjoyed 28 years of incredible happiness together, raising Stephen along with a multitude of four-legged creatures, both in Newfoundland and in Nova Scotia.
If you were to look in a Jewish dictionary for the definition of a “mensch” there would surely be a picture of Marc Glassman next to it. He was the epitome of kindness and generosity - one of the brightest, sweetest souls, a true champion for the little guy, a seeker of justice. His integrity was impeccable and his sense of fairness never waivered. We were all so incredibly lucky to have had him in our lives.
In his memory, his family has established The Dr. Marc S. Glassman Scholarship for Literacy Education at Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador. Contributions to this fund can be made in Marc’s memory online at: https://www.mun.ca/give/Donate.php (designated to Dr. Marc S. Glassman Memorial Fund) or they can send a cheque in the mail made out to Memorial University of Newfoundland (noting the Dr. Marc S. Glassman Memorial Fund), sent to :
Office of Development
Memorial University of Newfoundland
P.O. Box 4200
St. John's, NL A1C 5S7
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dana L. Sweeny Funeral Home, 11213 Hwy. # 3, Lunenburg, and from where a private family gathering will be held. The family intends to hold a celebration of Marc’s life later in the spring in St. John’s, NL. Details to follow.
Born in New York City, NY, he was the son of the late Milton and Gwen (Weinfield) Glassman. Besides his parents, Marc was predeceased by his daughter Shaina and sister Susan.
Marc is survived by his wife Deborah and son Stephen (Jessica Pynn) of St. John’s, NL, Stephen’s mother Joanne Dunne Glassman (David Weeks), of St. Phillips, NL, Cousin Marty Frumkin (Sofia) of Middleton, NJ and his soul brother Dennis Whittle (Linda) of Cummings, GA.
Marc’s keen intellect combined with a genuine interest in the welfare of others led him to pursue a career in teaching, with his first major appointment in the rural south of Georgia. This experience provided firsthand insights into the impact of inter-generational illiteracy and was to inform the rest of Marc’s professional career. Graduating from University of Georgia with a Doctorate in Education in 1977, Marc pursued academic opportunities around the US, and on a whim, with one last resume to send off, he noticed an opening at a little-known university in Newfoundland, Canada. Ever the adventurer, that fall he joined the Faculty of Education at Memorial University where he would spend the next 40 years providing literally thousands of Education students with the skills required to help Newfoundland children learn how to read and write.
Apart from his family, Marc drew his greatest joy in life from his teaching and interactions with students. Whether in the classroom or in his teaching online, he imparted his wisdom and regaled his students with stories of classroom experiences in Georgia. But underneath that warm, wry humour, he also offered essential insights of how children learn and how good teachers can facilitate that.
Despite many hardships early in life, there was also serendipity, not the least of which was his chance meeting with Deborah in 1994. A storybook romance ensued, and they enjoyed 28 years of incredible happiness together, raising Stephen along with a multitude of four-legged creatures, both in Newfoundland and in Nova Scotia.
If you were to look in a Jewish dictionary for the definition of a “mensch” there would surely be a picture of Marc Glassman next to it. He was the epitome of kindness and generosity - one of the brightest, sweetest souls, a true champion for the little guy, a seeker of justice. His integrity was impeccable and his sense of fairness never waivered. We were all so incredibly lucky to have had him in our lives.
In his memory, his family has established The Dr. Marc S. Glassman Scholarship for Literacy Education at Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador. Contributions to this fund can be made in Marc’s memory online at: https://www.mun.ca/give/Donate.php (designated to Dr. Marc S. Glassman Memorial Fund) or they can send a cheque in the mail made out to Memorial University of Newfoundland (noting the Dr. Marc S. Glassman Memorial Fund), sent to :
Office of Development
Memorial University of Newfoundland
P.O. Box 4200
St. John's, NL A1C 5S7
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dana L. Sweeny Funeral Home, 11213 Hwy. # 3, Lunenburg, and from where a private family gathering will be held. The family intends to hold a celebration of Marc’s life later in the spring in St. John’s, NL. Details to follow.