Glenn Deremo Hilzen
April 13, 1963 - October 13, 2023
Glenn Deremo Hilzen, age 60, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 13th, 2023; surrounded at his bedside by his six children, wife Michele of 37 years, and sister Karen.
Born in 1963, in Brooklyn, New York, Glenn was the son of Margaret and Robert Hilzen. He was the youngest of three children. His two older sisters are Linda and Karen. When Glenn was two years old, the Hilzen family moved to Stony Point, New York, where he spent much of his childhood. At age 14, Glenn and his family moved to Paramus, New Jersey where Glenn graduated from Paramus High School in 1981.
Glenn was able to hone his studies and interests during this time; one of his many passions was music, he played clarinet in the Paramus High School Marching Band. During Glenn's senior year his family participated in a foreign exchange program and took in a student from Colombia, South America. Oscar lived with the family and attended high school with Glenn for their entire senior year. They became best friends and formed a lifelong brotherly bond.
Glenn attended Syracuse University and graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree in Marketing while minoring in Spanish in 1985. During his time at Syracuse University, Glenn participated in the Syracuse University Marching Band. Glenn's passion for language flourished as he studied abroad in Paris, France.
In 1984, Glenn met his future wife, Michele, on Marshall Street in Syracuse outside one of their favorite establishments, Varsity Pizza. Although Glenn and Michele had met a few years earlier in their first year at Syracuse University, they reunited in their Senior Year, which perpetuated into a beautiful, fruitful, and long lasting relationship of 37 years.
Glenn and Michele moved to North Bergen, New Jersey shortly after getting married on June 28th 1986. Glenn and Michele had their first child, Elisabeth in 1989 where they had moved briefly to Fair Lawn, New Jersey. The Hilzen family moved to their residence in Glen Rock, New Jersey, where the family would expand and live for over 25 years. During this time, from 1994 up until 2006, Glenn and Michele had 5 more children; Bobby, Mark, Greta, Glenn II, and Max.
Glenn worked for SLD Lighting for most of his working career; a Stage Lighting and Sound Equipment business designed to supply nightclubs and large event venues. When Glenn was not working, he would volunteer hundreds of hours over 20 years to assist his children's swim team, New Jersey Wave. In July 2017, Glenn started a new career working for Building Skills NY, a non-profit organization designed to assist tradesmen in finding jobs.
Glenn was a people person, and fulfilled a life of serving others by putting their needs above his. Glenn was diagnosed with Liposarcoma, an extremely rare and aggressive cancer in July of 2020. Over the next 40 months, Glenn fought a tumultuous battle and never gave up. Over the span of three years, Glenn received countless treatments, surgeries, and procedures, while working full time and supporting his family of eight, up until the day before his passing. A steadfast man, Glenn would not give up his fight. Glenn spent his free time exploring New York City with his family, taking them to his favorite locales. He also took up Ballroom dancing. Glenn continued his love of travel by visiting family across the country. In spite of his diagnosis, he continued to pursue his passions and moreso. Glenn fought his battle valiantly, and on October 13th, Glenn came to rest with his family surrounding him.
Glenn is survived by his wife, Michele, his six children, Elisbeth, Bobby, Mark, Greta, Glenn II, and Max, his parents, Margaret and Robert, his two sisters Linda and Karen, lifelong friend Oscar, and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and extended family. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to the New Jersey Wave Swim Team as an expression of sympathy in Glenn's memory ( New Jersey Wave Swim Team 74 Porter Place Montclair NJ 07042 www.gomotionapp.com/team/njnjwst/page/home ). All six Hilzen children have swam and competed with the team since 1999. Glenn was an asset to the team, volunteering, directing meets, and chairing the parent board for over 20 years.
Interment at Maryrest Cemetery, 770 Darlington Ave., Mahwah.
https://www.vpfairlawn.com/obituaries/Glenn-D-Hilzen?obId=38721817