Doug4Cincy

Cincinnati Museum Center and the World

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Cincinnati natives change the world in ways we never know. RIP Ben Joseph DeLuca

Ben Joseph DeLuca


Ben Joseph DeLuca, 87, of Spartanburg, SC, died Wednesday, May 23rd, 2012, at Spartanburg Regional Hospice House. He was born February 26, 1925, in Cincinnati, OH to the late Ben J. and Jean DeLuca.


He earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Wofford College and both a Master’s and Doctorate of Education from the University of Virginia and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He was a WWII veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps where he was awarded a Silver Star and a Purple Heart.


He was employed as a Publisher at Ginn and Co. (K-12). Early in his life, Ben taught at Spartanburg’s Jenkins Jr. High. He also served as Executive Director of Hammond Castle Museum, Consultant for ESCNE, ABLE and United Way of Greater Boston, was Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Spartanburg and was in Who’s Who in America. He was a Trustee for The Boston Atheneum Library and the Boston Concert Opera. He was Director of the Boston Ballet Company, the Opera Company of Boston, the Spartanburg Garden Club, Bethlehem Center, Ballet Spartanburg, and a member of the South Carolina Order of Silver Crescent.


He survived an eight year battle with colon cancer.


Survivors include his devoted wife, Jo-Ellen DeLuca; a stepson, John Corkery Lorenz; three brothers-in-law, Dennis Corkery (Tami); nephews, Sam and Ben, Robert Corkery (Kim), and Thomas Corkery; and his loving pets, Lexie & Dubie.

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Cincinnati Museum Center lost a beloved member of its family this week. Bennie Butler was a fixture in the Cincinnati History Museum, where he portrayed historical characters including a Pullman Porter, a 19th century photographer, a cave explorer and significant African Americans in Cincinnati’s history. 

Bennie was also the ultimate Union Terminal story. His memories here date back to 1945, when he welcomed his father home from World War II. In 1952, he waved goodbye to his brother as he left for the Navy on a train at Union Terminal. Five years later, he celebrated his high school prom at this Cincinnati landmark.

Bennie was special with a smile that made all of us who worked with him feel better, and the millions of visitors who experienced him feel wiser about their past and hopeful about their future. He is special, we will miss him and our deepest sympathy is extended to his family.

Cincinnati Museum Center lost a beloved member of its family this week. Bennie Butler was a fixture in the Cincinnati History Museum, where he portrayed historical characters including a Pullman Porter, a 19th century photographer, a cave explorer and significant African Americans in Cincinnati’s history.

Bennie was also the ultimate Union Terminal story. His memories here date back to 1945, when he welcomed his father home from World War II. In 1952, he waved goodbye to his brother as he left for the Navy on a train at Union Terminal. Five years later, he celebrated his high school prom at this Cincinnati landmark.

Bennie was special with a smile that made all of us who worked with him feel better, and the millions of visitors who experienced him feel wiser about their past and hopeful about their future. He is special, we will miss him and our deepest sympathy is extended to his family.

Filed under Cincinnati Museum Center Union terminal

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QR or short code; there must be a compelling reason to activate the code. #AAM2012

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Philanthropy Continued - Recognizing Indy philanthropist Marilyn Glick.

March 24, 2012

Philanthropist Marilyn Glick dies at 90 after battling cancer

By Cathy Kightlinger
cathy.kightlinger@indystar.com

Marilyn K. Glick’s commitment to her community, her husband — real estate magnate Eugene B. Glick — and their family is evident all over the city, from the Indianapolis Cultural Trail to the Indiana History Center.

As news of her death Friday was made public, friends and family were quick to remember a generous and determined woman who often described her life as a “fairy tale” and her husband as her “Prince Charming.” Glick, 90, had suffered from cancer. She is survived by her husband, 90, and their four daughters.

“My mom was really passionate about our community and some causes that were special to her — the arts and preventing blindness,” Marianne Glick said. “I think she has left a lasting mark on both of those areas. I hope she will be remembered for her kind heart and generosity to everyone.”

Marilyn and Eugene co-founded Gene B. Glick Co. — one of the largest privately held real estate development firms in the country — after they married in 1947. Thirty years ago, they founded the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Family Foundation, which has donated millions to organizations such as the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Eye Institute, the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center and the Indianapolis Public Library Foundation’s Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana Authors Award.

“There are not many civic, charitable, educational or arts organizations that Gene and Marilyn have not given to since they formed their foundation,” said David O. Barrett, president and CEO of Gene B. Glick Co.

Born March 8, 1922, Glick spent her early childhood in a Detroit community. After her father, Abraham Jacob Koffman, who owned and managed rental properties, lost his savings in the 1929 stock market crash and died in 1933, she eventually became the primary source of support for her mother, according to her obituary on the company’s website.

As a teenager, she moved with her mother to Indianapolis, where she graduated with honors from Shortridge High School in 1940. She completed advanced business courses and began a career at the Indianapolis Life Insurance Co., where she was promoted from a clerk in the policy loan department to the head of the reinsurance department and secretary to the vice president.

But an unexpected bridge game with a young World War II veteran in December 1945 proved to be the turning point in her life, according to those close to her.

Before the Glicks wed, they used their respective nest eggs to invest in real estate, which created the seed money for the corporation. When the business started, Gene ran it while he worked at Peoples Bank in Indianapolis, and she supervised their construction projects.

Then, after their daughters — Marianne Glick, Arlene Grande, Alice Meshbane and Lynda Schwartz — were born and their business grew, Marilyn transitioned to full-time parenting and community service work.

“The great part of the story is that Gene and Marilyn were a true partnership. They started with the first dollar in their pocket. They represent the great American success story,” Barrett said.

Brian Payne, president and CEO of the Central Indiana Community Foundation, remembers Glick as “charming and warm.”

“I always loved working with Marilyn,” he said.

As Glick became more involved in philanthropy, she was thoughtful and smart about it, Payne said. He recalled working with her on plans for the Glick Peace Walk, part of the Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene & Marilyn Glick.

“We had to have a negotiation, and it wasn’t always easy, but it was always thoughtful and respectful,” he said. “It was her money. She didn’t have to be gracious. I was always grateful for that.”

A memorial service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday at Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation, 6501 N. Meridian St. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Glick Eye Institute at the Indiana University School of Medicine.

Large contributions to civic life

Since forming the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Family Foundation 30 years ago, the Glicks have given generously to many local organizations and community initiatives. Among the more high-profile:

» $30 million: Eugene and Marilyn Glick Eye Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine.

» $15 million: Indianapolis Cultural Trail: A Legacy of Gene & Marilyn Glick. An extra $2 million was given to fund the Glick Peace Walk, which includes 12 sculptural gardens dedicated to people who achieved greatness through peaceful pursuits.

» $8 million: Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center, Indiana Historical Society.

» $5 million: Marilyn K. Glick Center for Glass, Ball State University.

» $4 million: Gene Glick Family Support Center, Children’s Bureau.

Also, the couple have given at least $1 million to these organizations: Junior Achievement of Central Indiana, the JCC of Indianapolis, the Pro 100 program (a leadership program for inner-city youths) and the Indianapolis Art Center, home to the Marilyn K. Glick School of Art.

Additional Facts
Marilyn K. Glick
» Born: March 8, 1922; died March 23, 2012.

» Age: 90.

» Husband: Eugene B. Glick.

» Children: Marianne Glick, Arlene Grande, Alice Meshbane, Lynda Schwartz.

» Work: Philanthropist and co-founder of Gene B. Glick Co. She wrote an autobiography, “Once Upon a Lifetime” (Hawthorne Publishing, 2008).