James V. Glynn, 91, chairman and chief executive officer of Niagara Falls-based Maid of the Mist Corporation, passed away on Sunday, December 28, 2025, at home following a lengthy illness.
Mr. Glynn joined Maid of the Mist in 1950 as a ticket seller, using his salary to finance his education at Niagara University. He fulfilled a lifelong dream on May 25, 1971, when he purchased the company. Under his leadership, Maid of the Mist expanded operations exponentially, becoming a world class attraction which today operates two environmentally friendly all-electric vessels.
Paramount was his commitment to his family. He was a loving husband, brother, father, and grandfather, championing every dream and endeavor along the way so that his children and grandchildren could fulfill the promise of their own lives.
James is survived by his devoted wife of 67 years, Mary Gallagher Glynn, their five children: Mary Jo (late Dennis) Farrell, Paula (Gary) Fiore, Christopher (Michelle), Tricia (Patrick) Hanley and Elisabeth (Joseph) Ieraci; 17 grandchildren: Andrew (Hayley), Spencer (Nicoletta), Connor, and Serena Farrell; Lauren (Josiah) Sleewa, Nora (Kevin) Costanzo, and Brendan (Kendra) Fiore; Christopher, Jr. and Isabelle Glynn; Thomas, James, Michael, and Elisabeth Hanley; Nicholas (Jessica), Matthew, Jonathan (Anna), and Patrick Ieraci; and eight great-grandchildren.
He is also survived by his brother, Donald (Diane) Glynn, sister-in-law, Margaret Gallagher, SSJ, and brother-in-law, John (late Patricia) Kinner, as well as several nieces and nephews. James was predeceased by his brother Leo Glynn, brother-in-law, Michael (late Sandra) Gallagher, son-in-law, Dennis Farrell, and grandson, James Fiore, who died of leukemia at the age of 17.
Born on May 11, 1934, in Niagara Falls, N.Y., he was the son of the late Vincent E. Glynn and Margaret (McCarthy) Glynn.
James Glynn’s longtime dedication to the community was exemplary. He served in a variety of leadership roles, most notably as a 22-year member of Niagara University’s Board of Trustees, where he became the boards’ first lay chairman and was chairman emeritus. He chaired the successful 1997 Catholic Charities of Buffalo Appeal, and in 2017, Catholic Charities named their location on Tronolone Place in Niagara Falls the Glynn Family Services Center.
He also served as a director for several leading organizations in the Buffalo-Niagara region, including M&T Bank, National Fuel Gas Company, Buffalo Niagara Partnership, Niagara Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, Catholic Health, and AAA of Western & Central New York.
Community service organizations in Niagara County also benefited from James and Mary Glynn’s philanthropic generosity. They contributed mightily to Heart, Love & Soul, securing its permanent home on Ontario Ave. in Niagara Falls, where it provides hunger relief and social services. They also supported the Francis Center in Niagara Falls where the Sisters of St. Francis provide educational and emotional support to neighborhood children, as well as OLV Charities in Lackawanna.
Under Mr. Glynn’s leadership, the Maid of the Mist has long supported the work of Opportunities Unlimited, United Way of Niagara Falls, Mt. St. Mary’s Hospital in Lewiston, CARExpress Transportation Service.
A 1957 graduate of Niagara University, Mr. Glynn earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He served as a tank commander in the United States Army before returning to civilian life. He was awarded an honorary doctorate of Commercial Science from Niagara University and Doctor of Humane Letters from St. John’s University in New York City. His Niagara University citation read, “He is, in all ways, a good man, because he thinks with his heart.”
The family will be present Thursday, January 8, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Rhoney Funeral Home, 901 Cayuga St. Lewiston. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, January 9, at 11 a.m., at St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church, 620 Center St., Lewiston.
Donations can be made in his honor to the James M Fiore Scholarship Fund at Canisius High School, 1180 Delaware Ave., Buffalo, NY 14209 or Heart, Love and Soul, 939 Ontario Ave., Niagara Falls, NY 14305.
James V. Glynn, 91, chairman and chief executive officer of Niagara Falls-based Maid of the Mist Corporation, passed away on Sunday, December 28, 2025, at home following a lengthy illness.
Mr. Glynn joined Maid of the Mist in 1950 as a ticket seller, using his salary to finance his education at Niagara University. He fulfilled a lifelong dream on May 25, 1971, when he purchased the company. Under his leadership, Maid of the Mist expanded operations exponentially, becoming a world class attraction which today operates two environmentally friendly all-electric vessels.
Paramount was his commitment to his family. He was a loving husband, brother, father, and grandfather, championing every dream and endeavor along the way so that his children and grandchildren could fulfill the promise of their own lives.
James is survived by his devoted wife of 67 years, Mary Gallagher Glynn, their five children: Mary Jo (late Dennis) Farrell, Paula (Gary) Fiore, Christopher (Michelle), Tricia (Patrick) Hanley and Elisabeth (Joseph) Ieraci; 17 grandchildren: Andrew (Hayley), Spencer (Nicoletta), Connor, and Serena Farrell; Lauren (Josiah) Sleewa, Nora (Kevin) Costanzo, and Brendan (Kendra) Fiore; Christopher, Jr. and Isabelle Glynn; Thomas, James, Michael, and Elisabeth Hanley; Nicholas (Jessica), Matthew, Jonathan (Anna), and Patrick Ieraci; and 8 great-grandchildren.
He is also survived by his brother, Donald (Diane) Glynn, sister-in-law, Margaret Gallagher, SSJ, and brother-in-law, John (late Patricia) Kinner, as well as several nieces and nephews. James was predeceased by his brother Leo Glynn, son-in-law, Dennis Farrell, and grandson, James Fiore, who died of leukemia at the age of 17.
Born on May 11, 1934, in Niagara Falls, N.Y., he was the son of the late Vincent E. Glynn and Margaret (McCarthy) Glynn.
James Glynn’s longtime dedication to the community was exemplary. He served in a variety of leadership roles, most notably as a 22-year member of Niagara University’s Board of Trustees, where he became the boards’ first lay chairman and was chairman emeritus. He chaired the successful 1997 Catholic Charities of Buffalo Appeal, and in 2017, Catholic Charities named their location on Tronolone Place in Niagara Falls the Glynn Family Services Center.
He also served as a director for several leading organizations in the Buffalo-Niagara region, including M&T Bank, National Fuel Gas Company, Buffalo Niagara Partnership, Niagara Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, Catholic Health, and AAA of Western & Central New York.
Community service organizations in Niagara County also benefited from James and Mary Glynn’s philanthropic generosity. They contributed mightily to Heart, Love & Soul, securing its permanent home on Ontario Ave. in Niagara Falls, where it provides hunger relief and social services. They also supported the Francis Center in Niagara Falls where the Sisters of St. Francis provide educational and emotional support to neighborhood children, as well as OLV Charities in Lackawanna.
Under Mr. Glynn’s leadership, the Maid of the Mist has long supported the work of Opportunities Unlimited, United Way of Niagara Falls, Mt. St. Mary’s Hospital in Lewiston, CARExpress Transportation Service.
A 1957 graduate of Niagara University, Mr. Glynn earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He served as a tank commander in the United States Army before returning to civilian life. He was awarded an honorary doctorate of Commercial Science from Niagara University and Doctor of Humane Letters from St. John’s University in New York City. His Niagara University citation read, “He is, in all ways, a good man, because he thinks with his heart.”
The family will be present Thursday, January 8, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Rhoney Funeral Home, 901 Cayuga St. Lewiston. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, January 9, at 11 a.m., at St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church, 620 Center St., Lewiston.
Donations can be made in his honor to the James M Fiore Scholarship Fund at Canisius High School, 1180 Delaware Ave., Buffalo, NY 14209 or Heart, Love and Soul, 939 Ontario Ave., Niagara Falls, NY 14305.
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