Glenn E. Rice

We are deeply saddened to announce that on October 6, 2023, at the age of 88, Glenn Edward Rice, Sr. (Fort Mitchell, Kentucky) passed away in Fort Mitchell, KY, after receiving the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.  He was born in Covington, Kentucky on July 17, 1935, the third child of the late Bernard Louis and Mary (McCafferty) Rice. He was a devout Roman Catholic and a long-time parishioner of Blessed Sacrament Church in Fort Mitchell, KY. 

Although born blind, Glenn did not let this limit him.  He graduated from Saint Xavier High School (Cincinnati, OH) and from Xavier University (Cincinnati, OH), earning a bachelor’s degree in economics.  He worked for and co-owned Blue Grass Quality Meats (Erlanger, KY) serving as a salesman, a buyer, and vice-president.  He was an intelligent, well-respected, and hard-working businessman; he was highly regarded by his co-workers, competitors, and customers.  He was quite funny, and it was always a pleasure to be in his company.  He truly enjoyed working with his grandmother (Catherine Rice (nee Pater), father, brothers, children, and nephews to run the family business.  Glenn also was deeply grateful to have been born in the United States of America, because of the liberty and freedoms of living in this country.  He enjoyed travelling with his family, visiting Marian sites in Europe with his daughter, Aurelia, organizing annual family trips to the Smoky Mountains National Park with his extended family and friends, and leading his children and grandchildren to many National Parks throughout the U.S.  For friends and family, he also led and organized annual religious retreats at the Milford Spiritual Center and the Abbey of Gethsemani.   

Glenn married Mary Aurelia Rabe in June, 1961.  Mary Aurelia and Glenn raised their six children in Fort Mitchell. They were married for over 60 years.  Their home was filled with love and often many family and friends.  Saturday evening dinners that always featured Glenn’s grill outs (in any weather) as well as Glenn’s homemade bread, and Sunday morning breakfasts that included family, extended family, and friends occurred weekly.  Glenn was an extremely generous and kind man, who truly loved being with family.  He suffered a stroke in 2016, which left his left side paralyzed but did not diminish his enjoyment of life and family, or his will to live.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife, Mary Aurelia, their beloved son, Christopher of Fort Mitchell, KY, his sister, Mary Claire Rice of Lakeside Park, KY, his brothers-in-law Ferd A. Rabe, jr. of Crestview Hills, KY, George F. Rabe of Lexington, KY, Walter J. Rabe of Annandale, VA and Richard Schulte of Marco Island, FL, and his sisters-in-law, Julie Rice (nee Mayerchak), Jean Rabe (nee Barnes), and Barbara Rabe (nee Simpson).  He is survived by his sons, Glenn E. jr. (Nancy), Daniel J. (Katrina), and David P. (Shannon) Rice and his daughters, Aurelia Mary (John) Theissen and Jennifer Ann Rice, and by his 20 grandchildren, Tim (Kelly), Bridget, Glenn (III) (Samantha), George (Hannah), David jr. (Claire), Becky, Emily, Katie, Maria, Matthew, Peter, Christian, Sarah, Patrick, Mary, Joe, Jimmy, Aurelia, Caroline, and Ben and a great grandson.  He is also survived by two brothers, William Rice and Jay (Lynn) Rice, of Northern Kentucky and sisters, Sue Schulte of Marco Island, FL and Mary Lynn (Mike) Toner of Northern Kentucky, brothers-in-law David Rabe of Independence, KY, and Frank Rabe of Crestview Hills, KY, and, sisters-in-law Carol Ann Readnour of Ft Mitchell, KY and Janet Rabe of Annandale, VA and over 100 nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, as well as numerous lifelong friends.

Visitation will be held at the Middendorf Funeral Home (located at 3312 Madison Pike, Fort Wright, KY 41017) on Sunday October 15, 2023 from 4 PM until 6 PM.   A Roman Catholic Funeral Mass for Glenn will be held at Blessed Sacrament Church in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky on Monday, October 16, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., immediately followed by internment at Saint Mary’s Cemetery in Fort Mitchell.  A reception celebrating Glenn’s life will be held in the Blessed Sacrament Church undercroft following the Mass and internment. In lieu of flowers, donations to Blessed Sacrament Church (2409 Dixie Highway, Fort Mitchell, KY); The Passionist Nuns Monastery (1151 Donaldson Highway, Erlanger, KY 41018) or the Christopher Andrew Rice Memorial Scholarship at Saint Xavier High School (600 West North Bend Road, Cincinnati Ohio 452245) are encouraged.