Remembering Roger Glass: Miami Valley starts saying final goodbyes
The Miami Valley started saying its final goodbyes to a Dayton icon.
Roger Glass, entrepreneur and philanthropist, died Thursday at the age of 79-years old.
He was the president and CEO of Marion’s Piazza and named, “Daytonian of the Year,” in 2019.
>>Remembering Roger Glass: The legacy Dayton-area entrepreneur, philanthropist leaves behind
A staple in the community is gone but the legacy Roger Glass left behind will be long lasting, some told News Center 7′s Brandon Lewis.
“He was such a sweetheart. He was so good to me and I worked for him,” Tranna Bennett, a former Marion’s Piazza worker said. “I would stop by time to time and check on him. I had no idea he was ill. I’m just in shock that he passed.”
“Just had dinner with Roger a couple of weeks ago and this really came as quite a shock,” said Larry Glickler, a friend of Roger Glass. “I didn’t expect him to be gone so soon.”
Glass was the President and CEO of Marion’s Piazza and his obituary said he led the company to being consider, “Dayton’s number one pizza,” for 35 years.
“It’s a good pizza,” Steve Falter said. “I like the large deluxe pizza with extra sauce.”
Lewis said his legacy is not only synonymous with pizza but his philanthropy.
>>Dayton-area entrepreneur, philanthropist Roger Glass, 80, has died
The Dayton native loved the idea of learning, his obituary said.
Glass financially supporting his alma maters, the University of Dayton and Chaminade Julienne High School.
When he attended CJ, the high school was named Chaminade High School.
“Roger meant a lot to so many and as I say, he did a lot of things that he was known for and he also did a lot of things that he did very quietly as well,” Glickler said.
How he treated others is something people at the viewing told Lewis they will never forget.
“Him being in the position of the business owner like he was, he didn’t think he was better than anybody else,” said Ronald King. “If he saw us eating pizza, he’d come over, sit down, and talk to us like an everyday person.”
“Something that will live on in prosperity, his goodness, his kindness, and his friendliness,” Falter said.
Glass will be laid to rest at Calvary Cemetery Monday morning.
Marion’s Piazza off Patterson Boulevard will be open at 4 p.m. to give their employees time to pay their respects to Glass and his family.
