Glazier enjoyed working for himself
3/9/2007FREMONT - John E. Borer, 71, a glazier for decades who ran a mirror and glass business from his garage in Sandusky County's Ballville Township, died Monday in the Hospice of Northwest Ohio, Perrysburg Township.
He'd been ill with congestive heart failure, lung disease, and kidney failure, his daughter, Betsy Offenburg, said.
He founded Borer Mirror & Glass in 1979, after 22 years cutting and installing glass for Fremont Glass and, later, Trico Glass in Fostoria.
He enjoyed the work and the business, whether doing glasswork for an area business, installing home windows, or putting in a tub enclosure.
"I think he liked working for himself," his daughter said. "He was able to take the time he needed for what he was able to do. He wasn't on anybody's schedule."
And he liked to talk, sometimes chatting for hours in the shop. He developed a loyal clientele. His wife, Barbara, said, "He made lots of friends."
His daughter added, "He looked rough on the outside, but was a teddy bear on the inside. He was kind and considerate and had a phenomenal sense of humor."
He retired in 1999 and sold the business, now run by a relative, Mark Albright.
Mr. Borer grew up on a farm in Ballville Township. He attended Old Fort School, but left after eighth grade.
"He came from a big family and had to help take care of the farm," his daughter said.
He was in the Army from 1954 to 1956 and was stationed in Europe.
Mr. Borer was a past commander of American Legion Post 121 in Fremont, was a member of the honor guard there, and belonged to Voiture 1057. He was a member of the VFW post in Fremont.
He had been a deacon and trustee of St. John's Lutheran Church.
He was a former member of Ballville Township's Conner Park board.
Surviving are his wife, Barbara, whom he married Dec. 26, 1959; son, John W. Borer; daughters, Brenda Lowery and Betsy Offenburg; sisters, Elly Kramb, Ellen May, and Joan Halm; brother James Borer, and two granddaughters.
Services will be at 11 a.m. today in St. John's Lutheran Church, Fremont. Arrangements are by the Herman-Kinn-Karlovetz Funeral Home, Fremont.
The family suggests tributes to the church or Habitat for Humanity.