John Gilligan was born in 1921 into a family well-known among Cincinnatians as funeral directors, or undertakers as we formerly called the profession. He graduated from the Univ. of Notre Dame, then served in the Navy in WWII, where he was awarded the Bronze Star. After the was he obtained a master's degree from the Univ. of Cincinnati and taught at Xavier University.
In 1953 he won the first of seven terms on Cincinnati City Council; then was elected for one term to the US Congress. He returned to Cincinnati city council after being defeated for re-election to Congress.
John Gilligan was elected Ohio's 62nd Governor in 1970, when Ohio's schools were in dire straits. He instituted the state income tax, and was defeated by James Rhodes in 1974. Gilligan then served in the Carter Administration.
He returned to the Univ. of Notre Dame in government and public policy studies. Returning to Cincinnati, he ran for the School Board and served two terms, holding office until he was 86. He also taught courses as a volunteer at UC's Institute for Retirement in Living.
We could use more dedicated public servants in the style of John Gilligan.
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