Ray Gillman

The Laurels of Massillon. He attended Smithville High School and graduated with the class of 1940. He served in the US Army as a Captain in the Infantry in the China-Burma-India Theater of operations for 3 years. Ray attended the College of Wooster graduating with the Class of 1948 following his war service. He attended graduate school at the University of Maryland and then joined the Hoover Company in North Canton.

In the Hoover Company, he was given various assignments in the office including that of General Office Manager. He was called upon to be Executive Assistant in the office of the President and in 1975 was named Vice President of Public Affairs for Hoover Worldwide Corporation. Ray completed his service at the Hoover Company when he retired in 1986.

Ray served with many organizations both locally and nationally. He was a member of the Public Relations Society of America, the International Public Relations Society of America, the National Press Club of Washington D.C., and the Publicity Club of New York City. He attended and graduated from the Washington D.C. School of Protocol.

Locally, he served on the Board of the Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges, the student Ambassadors for Free Enterprise, Malone College (University) Board of Trustees, College of Wooster Alumni Board, Canton Civic Opera Board, Canton Symphony Orchestra Board, Canton Players Guild Board, and the United Way of Central Stark County.

He was a member of the Masonic Order, the American Legion, The Veterans of Foreign Wars, The Elks Lodge, Oakwood Country Club, the Union Hills Country Club of Arizona, and was a member of the Canton Rotary Club for 64 years. He was also a member of Faith United Methodist Church in North Canton. He served as mayor of Canal Fulton when he lived there in the early 1950’s.

Ray was a proud Member of the Navigators Program at the Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix, Arizona. He assisted travelers when they needed assistance at the airport. One of his greatest pleasures was working on his farm named “Holiday Valley” in Millersburg which he purchased in 1964. He grew Christmas Trees on the farm and enjoyed having his family and many friends join him during the summer weekends for camp outs.

Ray was very interested in the growth of higher education in the Canton area and served as the Planned Giving Officer of Walsh College (University) from 1986 to 1993.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, John B. and Jennie Mae Gillman,

one brother John Ralph Gillman, one sister Genieve Stefanski, his son Jeffrey Paul Gillman and his beloved wife Virginia E. Gillman of 60 years. He will be greatly missed by his daughter, Janet and his son-in-law and good pal, Dal Jay Bremer of

North Canton; and his precious granddaughter Jennie Mae Bremer.

The family would like to acknowledge the loving care, attention and support received by staff of The Laurels of Massillon and of Crossroads Hospice.

At this time, there will be no public service. Ray will be interred beside his loving wife at North Lawn Cemetery and a burial service for immediate family only will take place. Anyone wishing to give a Memorial Donation in Honor of Ray may make a donation to: Faith United Methodist Church, 300 9th Street NW, North Canton, Ohio 44720 or to The “Ray and Virginia Gillman Scholarship Fund” of Walsh University, 2020 East Maple Street, North Canton, Ohio 44720.