Obituary for Glenn Kuzirian
GLENN KUZIRIAN, a veteran raconteur and droll observer of human follies, died on October 25, at the age of 64. Even in the last months of his life, he continued to entertain with humor and charm, having all, including the attentive nursing staff, at his beck and call. He had an audience until the end, holding him tight, and then letting him go.
With Chuck Doris, Glenn was the other half of the beloved cover band, Second Avenue. For thirty-eight years, they took their show to wherever opportunity presented itself, building up an enviable, dedicated fan base. Drummer Steve Tancredi worked himself into the duo for a mere thirteen years, stepping back in when Glenn become too ill to play. Second Avenue’s success was driven as much by personality as by music. Glenn was a master provocateur and funny guy, keeping up a rapid-fire repartee between Chuck and the crowd, which was laced around an adeptly played, time-honored song list. He was a consummate professional.
To say that Glenn was a creature of habit would be an understatement. He had unwavering routines that he followed for years - Newman YMCA at noon; BankRI at 2:05; Eastside Marketplace for lunch at 2:25, then off to rent apartments - his second job. William Hall Library was another frequent destination. In each daily stop, he found a community of people who embraced his sweetly cantankerous manner.
Glenn was a highly intelligent, decent man with a strong moral compass. He rooted for the underdog and was a staunch advocate of plain, old-fashioned common sense. He could be a contrarian for no particular reason and argue a position with great conviction even if it bordered on the ridiculous. He was fussy and very particular about his appearance. Jazz, ice cream, hats, local politics, women and books were his loves - not necessarily in that order.
A hard working guy, he liked to take time off and get out of town. Last spring, he fulfilled a dream to go to Alaska on a cruise through the Inside Passage and even drove a dog sled.
Before his move to Cranston, Glenn had been an East Side fixture for many years and will be best remembered as the guy in the cherry red 1968 Dodge Dart convertible with his dog, Rhea, in the back seat. The dogs changed over the years but he still drove that car almost until the end - the joy ride of his life.
He leaves behind a very large group of friends and family, who will miss him profoundly, as well as his beloved dog, Katie, and his cats, King Tut and Pancake. Funeral services are private but there will be a “Party” at his request with details posted on Facebook. Donations can be made to the Nature Conservancy, Planned Parenthood or RIACLU.
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With Chuck Doris, Glenn was the other half of the beloved cover band, Second Avenue. For thirty-eight years, they took their show to wherever opportunity presented itself, building up an enviable, dedicated fan base. Drummer Steve Tancredi worked himself into the duo for a mere thirteen years, stepping back in when Glenn become too ill to play. Second Avenue’s success was driven as much by personality as by music. Glenn was a master provocateur and funny guy, keeping up a rapid-fire repartee between Chuck and the crowd, which was laced around an adeptly played, time-honored song list. He was a consummate professional.
To say that Glenn was a creature of habit would be an understatement. He had unwavering routines that he followed for years - Newman YMCA at noon; BankRI at 2:05; Eastside Marketplace for lunch at 2:25, then off to rent apartments - his second job. William Hall Library was another frequent destination. In each daily stop, he found a community of people who embraced his sweetly cantankerous manner.
Glenn was a highly intelligent, decent man with a strong moral compass. He rooted for the underdog and was a staunch advocate of plain, old-fashioned common sense. He could be a contrarian for no particular reason and argue a position with great conviction even if it bordered on the ridiculous. He was fussy and very particular about his appearance. Jazz, ice cream, hats, local politics, women and books were his loves - not necessarily in that order.
A hard working guy, he liked to take time off and get out of town. Last spring, he fulfilled a dream to go to Alaska on a cruise through the Inside Passage and even drove a dog sled.
Before his move to Cranston, Glenn had been an East Side fixture for many years and will be best remembered as the guy in the cherry red 1968 Dodge Dart convertible with his dog, Rhea, in the back seat. The dogs changed over the years but he still drove that car almost until the end - the joy ride of his life.
He leaves behind a very large group of friends and family, who will miss him profoundly, as well as his beloved dog, Katie, and his cats, King Tut and Pancake. Funeral services are private but there will be a “Party” at his request with details posted on Facebook. Donations can be made to the Nature Conservancy, Planned Parenthood or RIACLU.
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