The Michael J. Fox Foundation mourns the passing of philanthropist and Foundation Board member Albert B. Glickman. He died on April 27, 2013, at age 79. Services will be held on May 1 in Portland, Maine.

“Al gave us all hope a cure for Parkinson’s is within our reach, and the chutzpah to go after it,” says Michael J. Fox of the Glickman family’s extraordinary support of The Michael J. Fox Foundation.

Mr. Glickman joined MJFF’s Board of Directors in 2004, not long after he and his wife, Judy, made their first gift to the Foundation. “Al loved being a catalyst, helping our Foundation connect the dots,” recalls MJFF Co-Founder and Executive Vice Chairman Deborah W. Brooks. “He took delight in setting his own bar high and in inspiring others to do the same. The entire Glickman family carried the banner for the Foundation.”

A native of Portland, Maine, Mr. Glickman rose from humble beginnings to become a pioneer in commercial real estate in California and the western United States. He channeled his professional success to serve others, as a noted philanthropist for artistic, civic and educational causes across the country with a particular emphasis on causes in Maine and California. But his greatest passion was reserved for Judy, his wife of 54 years, and their family, which today includes four children and 18 grandchildren.

Following his own Parkinson’s diagnosis, in the final decade of his life Mr. Glickman was devoted to advancing the work of The Michael J. Fox Foundation. “Al took great pride in his service on our Board,” says MJFF CEO Todd Sherer, PhD. “He was so generous to our Foundation, sharing his strategic acumen, kind spirit and financial resources to speed a cure for his fellow Parkinson’s patients. His presence will be deeply missed.”  

In lieu of flowers, the Glickman family has requested that donations be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation. Read this Portland Press Herald article remembering Mr. Glickman and his obituary.

About Al Glickman
Albert B. Glickman was an attorney, real estate developer, investor and philanthropist, and the founder and sole proprietor of Albert B. Glickman and Associates.

Mr. Glickman was appointed by President George W. Bush as a trustee for the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. He served on the Board of Directors of the Portland Museum of Art and the Portland Symphony Orchestra, and was on the Board of Councillors for the UCLA Foundation and the Board of Governors for Cedars Sinai Medical Center. He was a co-founder and board member of the Aspen Center for New Medicine, and was a trustee emeritus of both the Aspen Museum of Art and the Los Angeles County Natural History Museum.

Mr. Glickman received a BS in political science from UCLA and a JD from UCLA Law School. He was a member of the California State Bar Association since 1960.