Retired Tillotson official devoted himself to family

3/18/2007

Thomas H. Glick, 88, retired treasurer of Tillotson Manufacturing Co. who was a director of the carburetor maker, died Tuesday in St. Anne Mercy Hospital from complications of pneumonia.

He retired from Tillotson about 1970, when the Toledo-headquartered firm was sold to Borg-Warner Corp. of Chicago. After closing the Toledo plant, Borg-Warner eventually consolidated its small-engine carburetor manufacturing in Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland.

The firm later sold the operation, which now exists as Tillotson Ltd.

Mr. Glick of West Toledo was hired in 1947 as a cost accountant. He was promoted to assistant treasurer and, in December, 1961, to treasurer. He also served on the board of directors.

He was an accountant by education and experience, but a generalist by inclination. He read prolifically and frequently looked up words he didn't know, his son, Ronald, said.

That quest for knowledge served him well because as he advanced in his career, "he was involved in the overall strategic leadership of the company," his son said.

"What he found satisfying was the ability to have a thriving organization that provided a good work environment for the employees and excellent shareholder return," his son said.

Mr. Glick grew up in Bascom, Ohio. He was valedictorian of his 1936 graduating class at Tiffin Calvert High School, where he was captain of the football team. He played offensive and defensive guard and was a placekicker.

Mr. Glick attended the University of Dayton on a football scholarship and received his bachelor's degree in business administration.

Upon graduation in 1940, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army. During World War II, he was assigned to a tank division and served in North Africa, Italy, and Sicily and was promoted to captain.

In retirement, his primary attention was on family - children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren. He was the last survivor among 10 children and was supportive of their children, his nieces and nephews.

"He devoted himself to family," his son said.

Surviving are his wife, Mary Louise, whom he married May 7, 1938; sons, Ronald J. and Thomas L. Glick; daughter, Jane Snodgrass; eight grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.

The body will be in the J. Jeffrey Fretti Funeral home after 3 p.m. today, with a prayer service at 7:30 tonight in the mortuary. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. tomorrow in Christ the King Church, of which he was a longtime member.

The family suggests tributes to Tiffin Calvert High School or Christ the King School.