C. Gilbert James Jr. towers as community powerhouse

2Fair officials renamed the bustling Gate 7 of the fairgrounds in his honor to recognize his decades of service as a fair board member and as a primary catalyst behind the exposition’s hugely popular Western Reserve Village. James always has paid painstaking attention to detail in ensuring the 19th-century town structures that line the village are fittingly furnished to authentically reflect the pioneering years and spirit in Mahoning County.

Gibby’s service, compassion, industriousness, dedication, business acumen and philanthropy to the Canfield Fair, however, serve as but a microcosm of his selfless contributions to a wide spectrum of causes that have strengthened the fabric of life for all in the Mahoning Valley. His remarkably good works extend far beyond the 353 acres of the expansive fairgrounds and endure infinitely longer than the six-day run of the annual agricultural exhibition in Canfield.

In short, the 91-year-young Canfield businessman has left a positive and indelible imprint on a diverse set of this Valley’s most vital and valued institutions.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO EDUCATION

Take, for example, his volunteerism and giving in the education arena. His generosity played a large role in construction of Youngstown State University’s state-of-the-art recreation and wellness center. He’s been recognized as an outstanding alumnus, has a track record as one of YSU’s largest and most consistent donors, has an art gallery in Kilcawley Student Center named in honor of him and his late wife, Adeline Wick James, and has received an honorary doctor of law degree from the university.

Gibby, too, has long been on the front lines of advancing literacy throughout the region. In return, Gibby has received the prestigious Pioneer Award from the William Holmes McGuffey Society, which promotes the values of Youngstown’s most-famous educator in history. James also carried that commitment through years of distinguished service on the board of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County and involvement in the Boys & Girls Club of Youngstown and the city’s YWCA.

Consider, also, James’ longstanding dedication and support to the Valley’s vibrant arts community. He has served on governing boards and in hands-on roles for the Youngstown Playhouse, the Butler Institute of American Art and the McDonough Museum of Art, among others.

HISTORIC-PRESERVATION ACHIEVEMENTS

But it is Gibby’s passion for history and historic preservation that perhaps rises as his greatest claim to fame and that best seals his legacy of magnanimous giving in our region.

In addition to his decades of work for the Western Reserve Village at the fairgrounds, James has served as a buzzing motor that powered the establishment and growth of the Youngstown Historical Center for Industry and Labor downtown. Indeed he’s the owner of the first materials donated to the YHCIL in 1978.

He also spearheaded the campaign to raise funds to preserve and restore the Mahoning Valley Historical Society’s Carriage House and has served quietly but powerfully behind the scenes of the International Institute and the Melnick Medical Museum at YSU.

The longtime leader of the successful James and Sons commercial insurance agency in Boardman that was founded by his father 95 years ago also has established a reputation of being the philanthropist’s philanthropist. Gibby has served on more than six community foundations in the region that have doled millions of dollars to myriad worthy endeavors.

Collectively, James’ contributions to the betterment of the Mahoning Valley propels him prominently onto the short list of this region’s most influential movers, shakers and benefactors.

Throughout it all, Gibby remains humble. “I feel my community has been good to my family. So the only thing I can do to say thank you is give something,” James says.

Suffice it for us to say that over the past many decades, the still zesty non-agenarian has given back volumes. For that, we join the bounty of beneficiaries of James’ talent and generosity in issuing a sincere thank you for his towering achievements.