Former Atlantic City, NJ, Casino Executive is Facing Rare Cancer

This is not a eulogy. Glenn Lillie is very much alive and still with us. However, he is presently facing a very challenging health issue and is literally in a fight for his life.

Glenn Lillie is a talented man, who served as a successful Vice President during the first two decades of the Atlantic City hotel and casino industry.

Lillie worked relevant and highly productive stints at both The Tropicana and The Claridge Hotel and Casino … which was his last stop in the casino industry … during the Roger Wagner and Bob Renneisen eras.

Lillie was the Vice President of Marketing, Entertainment, Public Relations and Advertising departments at The Claridge.

Glenn was admired and respected throughout the Atlantic City casino industry for his overall many talents and the supreme kindness that he always displayed in the performance of his executive duties.

Lillie was a master at doing big things with a small budget; which came in handy at “The Smaller, But Friendlier” Claridge Hotel and Casino.

Glenn also hosted a weekly radio program more than 30 years ago on then WFPG Talk Radio 1450 called “Open Mind.”

Glenn opened every program with “Can a child of the sixties and casino executive of the nineties find peace and harmony on AM talk radio”? “Hi, This is Glenn Lillie, welcome to Open Mind,” said Lillie.

Glenn and I worked together in those early days (on-air) and we’ve been great friends ever since. We have been friends for more than 33 years.

You would be hard-pressed to find a better human being, or, a more trusted friend than Glenn.

Glenn Lillie is a rare kind of person, who always looks to help others.

Glenn Lillie is the consummate team player. He always gives credit to the team when there is a victory and he shoulders the responsibility during times of challenges. That’s the sign of a true leader.

A case in point, at the time of the tragic Claridge parking garage fatal accident on July 10, 1996, when two elderly women were killed when their car crashed through a concrete-and-steel wall.

It was a real-life nightmare, as their car fell almost 50 feet from the new parking garage at the Claridge Hotel and Casino. The $ 27 million garage had opened just two weeks earlier.

Glenn Lillie personally handled the massive communications operation with the media and public. He did so with decency, compassion and total transparency.

It was a masterclass in exactly how you should handle a public tragedy.

Glenn is presently facing a rare cancer with a very tough prognosis.

My twin brother Don has written about Glenn today and describes it as follows:

Glenn has been diagnosed with a rare form of Cancer resulting from contact with asbestos. With this diagnosis comes an aggressive treatment, which will begin in the next few weeks. Glenn has been fortunate to obtain the medical services of one of the world's most renowned oncology surgeons in this area of medicine. There is no cure for this disease. Only surgery and treatment is available to minimize its devastating effects in order to extend life. Glenn has already had several surgical procedures necessary in the run up for the surgery, which will be happening later this month.

“Glenn Lillie is one of the most giving and beautiful people l've ever encountered. He's spent a lifetime giving of himself to others in so many ways in business and in life. That he is experiencing the ravages of this deadly disease is breaking my heart,” said Don Hurley.

Don and Glenn are very dear friends. You can read all of Don’s comments about Glenn on his Facebook page.

Glenn wants everyone to know what is going on in his life right now.

I am honored, along with my twin brother Don to tell Glenn’s story.

NOTE: Don Hurley will join us on-air on Tuesday, October 8, 2024 from 7:45 a.m  to 8:00 a.m. on WPG Talk Radio 95.5 to talk about Glenn Lillie.