Category: News

Funeral arrangements set for Maid of the Mist Chairman and CEO James V. Glynn

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.

Maid of the Mist announces the passing of Chairman/CEO James V. Glynn

James V. Glynn, 91, chairman and chief executive officer of Niagara Falls-based Maid of the Mist Corp., passed away on Sunday, Dec. 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 for countless guests from countless nations and today operates two environmentally friendly all-electric vessels.

When those vessels were placed into service on the Lower Niagara River on Oct. 5, 2020, he told WBFO-FM, “My first job at the Maid was having a palm of pamphlets, and I handed them out at Prospect Point. When I gave you a pamphlet, I gave you a ticket and I asked for a dollar. The ticket was 90 cents for the boat and ten cents for the elevator.

Mr. Glynn is survived by his loving, devoted wife of 67 years, Mary (nee Gallagher) Glynn. They were married Oct. 25, 1958, at Sacred Heart Church in Niagara Falls. He is also survived by his five children: Mary-Jo (late Dennis) Farrell, Paula (Gary) Fiore, Christopher (Michelle) Glynn, Tricia (Patrick) Hanley, and Elisabeth (Joseph), Ieraci, 18 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. He was predeceased by a grandson, James Fiore, who died in 2006 at the age of 17 from leukemia, and a brother Leo Glynn. He is also survived by a brother Don (Diane) Glynn, sister-in-law Margaret Gallagher, SSJ, brother-in-law, John (late Patricia) Kinner, as well as several nieces and nephews. Mr. Glynn resided in Lewiston, N.Y., and was a member of St. Peter Roman Catholic Parish.

Born on May 11, 1934, in Niagara Falls, N.Y., he was the son of the late Vincent E. Glynn and Margaret (McCarthy) Glynn.

Mr. Glynn was known for the kindness and generosity he showed to Maid of the Mist associates, many of whom spent decades with the company. He was also a shipbuilder, launching seven new vessels, Maid of the Mist III, IV, V. VI, and VII. On July 31, 2020, Maid of the Mist christened two new all-electric, zero-emission vessels, the first of their kind in the United States. One was named in his honor as the James V. Glynn. The ceremony included a “mast stepping,” the mariner’s tradition of placing a coin under the mast of a vessel for good luck. A sixpence Irish coin from 1950 was placed in the James V. Glynn in honor of the family’s Irish heritage and commemorating Mr. Glynn’s first year with the company.

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 van transportation service for medical appointments at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center, Summit Healthplex, and Hamilton B. Mizer Primary Care Center.

The Maid of the Mist also sponsors the Niagara University Vincentian Scholarship Program, the Diocese of Buffalo’s Curé of Ars dinner which supports priestly and permanent diaconate formation, and the James V. & Mary Glynn Endowment Fund for the Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo.

When asked about his countless charitable contributions, in typical James Glynn fashion he responded, “If I don’t do it, who will?” 

A 1957 graduate of Niagara University, Mr. Glynn earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. He was awarded an honorary doctorate 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 book, “The Magic in the Mist,” written by Linus Ormsby, recounts a conversation between Mary and James Glynn when they were newlyweds in 1958. He was considering enrolling in law school when Mary asked him, “Would you be happy sitting behind a desk in a law office?” James responded, “I think I’ll stay at the Maid.” He never left. 

Funeral arrangements are pending. 

Maid of the Mist Trick or Treat: Halloween Ponchos

Heading into Halloween Weekend, Maid of the Mist will swap out its iconic blue ponchos for orange Halloween ponchos, continuing a tradition that began years ago. The unique pumpkin ponchos will be available beginning Friday, Oct. 31, and will be handed out while supplies last. Ponchos are included with the purchase of a ticket This is the final weekend of the 2025 season for Maid of the Mist. Tours operate daily through Sunday, Nov. 2, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets can be purchased on our website.

105-Year Old Emily Bula fulfills life-long dream aboard Maid of the Mist 

Emily Bula, a resident at The McGuire Group’s Harris Hill Nursing Facility in Williamsville, N.Y. (suburban Buffalo) prepared to ring in her 105th birthday (July 25, 2025)with a dream come true — a ride aboard the legendary Maid of the Mist in Niagara Falls, N.Y., on July 24. “They asked me what I would like to do. This is what I wanted to do, so I’m doing it,” Bula told reporters after her ride. “It’s beautiful.”

During a heartfelt conversation, Tina Baker, assistant director of activities at Harris Hill, learned that Emily had always dreamed of experiencing the awe of Niagara Falls from the iconic boat ride. Moved by Emily’s story, Tina reached out to the Maid of the Mist team, who enthusiastically partnered with the facility to turn this long-held wish into reality. Emily will board one of the Maid of the Mist’s all-electric, zero-emission e-boats, the first of their kind in North America.

Maid of the Mist President Christopher Glynn will welcome Emily on board and presented her with Maid of the Mist gifts. “Emily’s visit proves that it is never too late, and you are never too old to ride Maid of the Mist.”

Born on July 25, 1920, in Michigan, Emily (née Buczko) has lived a life rich in family, faith and community. She has been a resident at Harris Hill Nursing Facility for two years and continues to inspire those around her with her energy, humor, and her love of dancing — especially the Polka.

Very appropriately, Emily met her husband Joseph on the dance floor, and the couple shared 53 joyful years together. “It was 19 cents for the dance, and beer was only 3 cents,” Emily fondly recalls. The Bula Family built their home in Tonawanda in 1954 and resided there for many years. A hardworking woman with a heart for service, Emily held several jobs in department stores and at ACME, where she cherished working with people. Joseph worked at Dunlop and served as a New York State umpire.

Although Emily’s husband and their son, Dick, have passed away, their memories continue to live on through Emily’s stories. Emily has lived through more than a century of history with grace and optimism. Her hobbies include sewing, gardening, and jewelry-making, and she was still driving until the age of 101. In fact, her driver’s license is valid until August! She’s been a proud AAA member for over 50 years, never once having an accident, earning herself a free year as a reward.

A lifelong volunteer, Emily began working with the Ladies of Charity in 1962 and managed their thrift store for 25 years. She was also a devoted parishioner at St. Andrew’s Church in Kenmore.

Emily attributes her longevity to keeping busy, eating healthy and enjoying a daily four-ounce glass of red wine. Her favorite motto? “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” When not dancing, you can find her indulging in her favorite treat — chocolate, especially dark (but she won’t turn down milk chocolate either).

Maid of the Mist Sets Sail on 140th Season

Maid of the Mist has launch its 2025 season, continuing a tradition that dates to 1846.

“Opening Day is one of celebration for the Niagara Falls travel and tourism industry,” said Maid of the Mist President Christopher M. Glynn. “Our crew is ready to once again welcome the world and provide our guests with an iconic experience.”

Maid of the Mist features two all-electric, zero-emission vessels: James V. Glynn and Nikola Tesla. When they were placed into service in 2020, they were the first vessels of their kind in North America. Tours depart every 30 minutes, Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to  5 p.m., and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends. Hours of operation will be extended throughout the summer.  

Adult tickets are $30.25, tickets for children (6–12 years) $19.75, and children 5 and under are free with an accompanying adult. Guests are encouraged to purchase tickets online at https://www.maidofthemist.com/schedule-pricing/. This year’s season runs through Nov. 2, 2025.

Travel Weekly Q & A with Maid of the Mist President Christopher Glynn

By Alexandra Coulton

The president Maid of the Mist Corp. took us on a virtual tour of Niagara Falls. He said the raincoat and buckets of water were not necessary, but we beg to differ.

What’s your main goal for this year?

Our main goal is a continuation of our positive business recovery as we work our way out of the pandemic. We have found sustained growth in our leisure visitors over the past two seasons. There continues, however, to be a significant lag in the group market, which was expected. We anticipate another year before the group market shows meaningful signs of recovery for Niagara Falls.

Through it all, our guests from around the world tell us they really enjoy the new experience on our cutting-edge all-electric, zero-emission vessels, the James V. Glynn and Nikola Tesla, which were placed into service late in the 2020 season.

What’s your favourite thing about working in the travel industry?

The reaction of our millions of visitors as they come face to face with one of the world’s most famous and impressive natural wonders. For many, Niagara Falls and the Maid of the Mist is a bucket list item, and we are happy to be able to participate in an activity that is so important to them on a personal level.

How do you like to spend your free time?

I love to get outdoors and enjoy spending my free time golfing and skiing.

Have you managed to do any travelling since restrictions began to ease (domestic or international)?

We took a family trip skiing in Utah in January of 2022, as well as a Florida holiday. And we are taking a trip with our young children to Legoland in New York State next month – it just opened last year in Hudson Valley, and we are so excited to check it out.

What’s your favourite travel company, besides the one you work for?

Micato Safaris. They are a luxury safari company that runs tours in Africa and India. Like the Maid of the Mist Corporation, they are a family-run business and are very much focused on innovative offerings that amplify the guest experience.

If you could invite three famous guests (dead or alive) to a dinner party, who would you choose?

Winston Churchill, Vincent Van Gogh, and Josh Allen (quarterback for the Buffalo Bills National Football League team, which is the local team where I live). I think the conversation around the table would be unique!

What’s something positive you’ve witnessed or experienced since the global pandemic hit?

During the height of the crisis, I witnessed a lot of neighbours helping neighbours. That was refreshing.

What’s your advice for others in the travel industry on coping with the global pandemic?

Be patient and have the ability on an operational level to plan for, and to quickly adapt to, the constantly changing and unpredictable circumstances created by the Pandemic that may significantly impact your ability to operate on short notice.

What book and/or TV show can you not get enough of lately?

Ted Lasso. Its portrayal of the importance of kindness is such an important message. Plus, it’s funny.

This article originally appeared in Australia-based Travel Weekly.