Glen Durish

Corps: Grantham Police Boys Band, Toronto Optimists

1940 — October 27, 2015

Glen came from St Catharines and marched with Grantham before joining the Optimists. During his time with the Optimists Glen played bass drum before moving to baritone. In 1963, his last year with the corps, Glen was Drum Major for Optimists' mini-corps as well as assistant Drum Major for the competitive corps.

I have vague memories of Glen having a portable chess set that he used to bring with him on corps trips. I seem to recall Glen and Doug McPhail sitting together on trips and playing chess (hey my memories of the early 1960s aren't as clear as they used to be).

Doug MacKenzie has an interesting story about Glen. "In early 1960 I sat beside Glendurish on a bus going somewhere for a contest.  Everyone referred to Glendurish; there was never a Glen or a Durish, always Glendurish.  Being rather young and naïve and not knowing him well, I wanted to know his first name; so I asked him, he said Glen and I said, Glen? Yes, he replied Glen.  I sat there for a few moments, puzzled.  Ok, so your first name is Glen, yes, he says.  I thought for a few more moments and said, so you are Glen Glendurish.  He looked at me with a rather pained expression and said Glen is my first name Durish is my second.  I don't recall anyone calling him Glen or Durish even after this explanation.  He was always referred to as Glendurish.  I can't recall anyone I knew that was referred to by first and last name combined.  Only Glendurish. RIP"

"Glen was well-liked by his peers in the corps and seemed to be one of those guys who did everything right.  He was a very good bass drummer and a good baritone player, and always well dressed.  As the assistant Drum Major under Jimmy McConkey, he held his own – not a showman but a guy who had the member's respect and looked good on the field.  Glen was the Drum Major for the Optimist 63 mini corps as well.  He left the corps at the end of the 63 season and, to my knowledge, never returned to the drum corps scene." – Doug MacKenzie

From the obituary for Glen: It is with sadness the family announces the passing of Glen Durish on October 27, 2015. He with reunite with his mother and father and his brothers Paul et al. He with be greatly missed by his family in St Catharines, his co-workers at Northwest Airlines, Terminal One, at Pearson airport and his many friends in Oakville. A private family service will be held in St Catharines.

Glen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . We Remember!