Friend Encounters: Laurence Juber and Glen and Alicia

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends meeting celebrities.

Once again, I feature my late pal Glen. I miss him and use this to keep his memory alive and honor many great memories.

We met at a wrestling show or comic con. I forget which. It was many years ago and we became friends through continually seeing each other at both events. Sadly, Glen passed a few years ago. We lost a truly good guy.

Glen met many celebrities and he got me with this one. At a Beatles convention, Glen and his wife met Laurence Juber. A guitarist, Juber was with Paul McCartney and Wings 1978-81. I have not met any of the Beatles, nor any affiliated folks. I would have loved to meet Laurence. 

Despite my envy, I am glad Glen got to meet him. I know how much that meant to him. While we would tease each other about beating the other to certain celebs, we always were happy for each other. We were happier when we both got to meet someone though. Several times, we met folks together.

Those were good times. RIP Glen.

Glen, Laurence Juber and Alicia in -August 2019.

Friend Encounters: Lisa Marie Varon and Glen and Alicia Rylko

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends who have met celebrities.

I have featured my pal Glen many times. A longtime pal from conventions and wrestling, Glen passed away a few years ago and I miss him. I use this to keep his memory alive.

Glen, his wife Alicia and son Patrick were always very kind to me. We caught up at various events, but Glen and I would often text each other our complaints, laughs or just checkups. He really was a great guy.

I saw him and Alicia take many pictures with celebrities. One of the last ones was with former wrestler and Chicagoan Lisa Marie Varon. Glen and I had similar favorites and Lisa was definitely one of our favorites.

These pictures are always bittersweet. I miss my pal, but I remember so many fun times. Rest in Peace, Glen.

Glen, Lisa Marie Varon and Alicia in Rosemont, IL-August 2019.

Friend Encounters: Henry Winkler and Glen and Alicia Rylko

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends who have met celebrities.

Today I feature one of the coolest guys with Henry Winkler. With no disrespect to The Fonz, Glen Rylko was one of the coolest, nicest people I have known. Unfortunately, Glen passed away a couple years ago. I miss my convention pal.

Glen and his wife Alicia were constant presences at comic cons. We often crossed paths in various lines, stopping to chat and take pictures every time. It was uncanny how many times our celebrity meet lists were nearly identical.

I knew Glen for many years. We also shared a passion for wrestling. I always enjoyed seeing Glen at events.

We texted often between events. We'd vent our wrestling frustrations for laughs. I knew Glen's health wasn't great, but I never heard him complain. Then there was a long stretch with no texts. I texted his son, hoping there was some other reason. Sadly, Glen was not doing well. Shortly after, his son relayed the news Glen had passed.

Every time I go to any convention now, I always think of Glen. I don't see Alicia at cons, because I think it was more Glen's thing.

Rest in peace, my friend. You're at every convention in spirit!

Glen, Henry Winkler and Alicia in Rosemont, IL-August 2019.

Friend Encounters: John Travolta and Glen and Alicia Rylko

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring my friends who have met celebrities.

Today I feature my dearly departed friend Glen and his widow Alicia with one of the biggest stars they or I ever met. I remember this day clearly.

Glen and I were convention buddies,. While we didn't really get together outside of comic cons and wrestling events, we kept in touch with texts. I valued his friendship and I really miss my buddy.

At Wizard World a few years ago, we all met John Travolta. As we waited to see him, we wondered how he would be. Big name celebrities can be hit-or-miss. Most are at least polite, if not outgoing and friendly, but you never know.

I met Travolta first and then did not see Glen and Alicia until later that day. As we compared notes, we agreed he was super nice. Keep in mind, the time constratints limit the actual interactions, but Travolta was as cool as could be given the situation. He asked our names and thanked us for coming. That's all we really wanted. That's all it takes to make a nice encounter in those photo ops.

Sadly, Glen passed away early last year. He had been sick for a while, but we kept in touch until the very end. His son Patrick delivered the sad news about a week after our last text.

As we head into comic con season, I am thinking about Glen. He is no longer with us, but he is there in spirit. Glen always supported my efforts and encouraged me. He was a great friend and a wonderful human. RIP alwys Glen.

Alicia, John Travolta and Glen Rylko in Rosemont, IL-August 2019.

Friend Encounters: Jerry "The King" Lawler and Glen and Alicia Rylko

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends who have met celebrities.

This picture makes me sad and happy. It features WWE Hall of Famer Jerry "The King" Lawler with my friends Glen and Alicia Rylko. Sadly, Glen passed away last year and I miss my friend.

Glen and I became friends through out mutual love of wrestling and comic cons. We crossed paths for years, eventually becoming good friends outside of those scenes. I was actually at C2E2 when this picture was taken, although I wasn't at Lawler's booth at that exact moment.

Glen is the closest friend I have lost. I miss our random texts and I miss catching up at events. It's like something is missing at comic cons without seeing Glen's smiling face. I always think of him when I meet various celebrities he'd like to have met.

At least we had a lot of fun at these events. I appreciate knowing him, his wife Alicia and son Patrick. There is much more to his family, but I didn't have the pleasure yet of knowing others.

Rest in peace, buddy. Thank you for many great times. 

Glen, Jerry Lawler and Alicia in Chicago, IL-March 2015.

Friend Encounter: RIP Glen Rylko

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends who met celebrities.

Today is a special and very sad Friend Encounter. It is also a salute to a good friend of mine.

I met Glen Rylko many years ago at Resistance Pro Wrestling, although our paths crossed several times at other events.

We became friends over our mutual interest in comic cons, sports and wrestling. Over the years, I got to know his son Patrick and wife Alicia. Glen was a fun guy, knowledgeable and respectful of sports and wrestling. He was a man of deep faith, too. I liked, appreciated and respected Glen.

The last time I saw Glen was at C2E2, right before the pandemic hit. Since then, we communicated mostly by text. We had hopes and plans to finally get together at a comic con this year. Unfortunately, those plans would not happen.

I knew Glen was ill. In our last few texts I could tell he wasn't doing well, but he kept up his spirits and his spirituality. The texts stopped a couple weeks ago. I knew that was a bad sign. Yesterday morning, Patrick texted me informing me of Glen's passing.

They say he's in a better place. They say he's no longer suffering. That's the consolation for those who knew him.

I'll miss Glen, but I will remember our fun times and many interesting chats. Rest in peace, Glen. I love ya, buddy!

Alicia and Glen Rylko and me in Chicago, IL-March 2020.

Friend Encounters: Jim Roche and Glen and Alicia Rylko at C2E2 2020

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends who have met celebrities.

I have written many times about Svengoolie Rich Koz. Today, I feature Jim Roche, a vital part of the Svengoolie team.

Jim's is the Executive Producer of Svengoolie at Weigel Broadcasting, but his responsibilities and significance goes well beyond that title. Jim is Sven's right hand man. Sven is one of the hardest-working folks out there and Jim is always right there with him. They make a great team.

Glen and Alicia Rylko make a great team, too. The married couple are two awesome people, who I am proud to call friends. They have big hearts, often giving their time, money and exposure to various charities and events.

Of course, they also like to have fun. I have connected with them at many comic cons over the years. Usually we end up meeting in Sven's line, like at C2E2 2020, when the picture below was taken.

Jim was there helping and coordinating the Sven appearance, while Glen, Alicia and I were there to see our horror host friend.

C2E2 2021 was delayed, but is taking place December 10-12 at McCormick Place. I will be "Onthe Beat" as usual and I am betting Glen and Alicia will also be there. Sven is a pretty good bet to be there, too. Maybe we can get a big group photo.

For more info, go to C2E2.com. Also, check Svengoolie.com for news about the legendary Sven!

Jim Roche and Alicia and Glen Rylko in Chicago, IL-February 2020.

Friend Encounters: Svengoolie and Glen and Alicia Rylko

Friend Encounters is a weekly series featuring friends who have met celebrities.

You won't find three better folks than the three people I'm featuring today. I'm proud to call of them my friend.

Rich "Svengoolie" Koz has been a Chicago legend for 40+ years. Having worked with Koz several times and having been able to get to know him a bit, I am happy to say he is one of the nicest, most genuine people I have ever met. He is amazingly generous with his time. He is a complete class act.

I could say much of the same about Glen and Alicia Rylko. While they haven't been famous entertainers, they are genuinely great people and also very generous with their time. Glen and Alicia donate lots of time and energy to various local charities.

I'm grateful to be friends with all three. Surround yourself with quality people and good things happen. These three are top quality for sure.

I miss seeing all three of these fine folks at conventions and elsewhere. Hopefully, soon we will all be able to get back to doing the things we enjoy, including seeing each other.

Svengoolie and Alicia and Glen Rylko in Chicago, IL-February 2020.