James Gillig, one of the Canton Public Library's founding trustees, passed away at age 84 in Matthews, North Carolina. Gillig was a key figure in establishing the library in Canton, when he worked with a group of interested citizens to get the ball rolling in 1977.
Due to the dogged efforts of Gillig and others on a citizens committee, a library millage was passed in 1979, and in 1980, the library opened on the third floor of the Canton Twp. administration building.
Gillig served on the library board from its inception until his retirement in May 2009, and in that time worked to secure the parcel and millage to pay for the current library building and its subsequent expansion, played a role in the hiring of three library directors, and helped establish an endowment fund to insure the future of the library.
In addition to his work on the library board, Gillig also ran a successful dentistry practice in Canton and volunteered with Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Rotary Club and the Canton Chamber of Commerce. He is survived by his wife Sandy, daughters Nichole and Heather (Jason) and his grandson, Nicholas.
