Little League President Gary Giammarco Honored for 25 Years of Service

The night was all about Gary Giammarco and his dedication to the North Canton Little League after serving 25 years as president.

But, you wouldn't have guessed it when Giammarco took advantage of his turn to speak; he went row by row and thanked each person he knew who had come to see him be honored inside the North Canton City Council Chambers Monday night.

Giammarco, whose children had participated in the little league while he was a team manager, doled out a lot of thank-yous, but his first was to his wife, Grace.

"For 25 years I think I have been (at the field) every night, for three or four hours a day, and that takes a lot out of your life," Giammarco said. "I couldn't do it without an understanding wife who has patience and understanding of what we're trying to accomplish over there."

Mayor David Held read a proclamation to Gary Giammarco that night and proclaimed Dec. 10, 2012, a day of recognition for Giammarco in the city of North Canton.

"Most of the people who benefit from your hard work, they don't even know the work that you've put into it," Held told Giammarco.

Councilman Mark Cerreta, who helped set up Monday night's ceremony and spotlight Giammarco, shared his appreciation as well.

"We are very, very proud of Gary for his accomplishments with the little league. That really represents the community here," Cerreta said. "For four months out of every year, almost every night, this is the largest gathering place for community members and their children in our wonderful community."

"They learn to make new friends outside of the schools they're in, they learn to play with those friends, they learn to beat those friends, they learn to lose to those friends, and they learn to be teammates and move on when they're all done."

Ward 1 Councilman Doug Foltz also shared his gratitude to Giammarco, who administered the league while Foltz's children played.

"It was first class," Foltz said. "We are just so proud of your dedication and just the love you give to the young children in our city. It just means a lot. We've had very fond memories of the little league program, and that's because of you."