Andrew Armitage, former chief librarian of the Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library, researcher, historian, journalist, author, canoeist, nature lover and Georgian Bay Explorer passed away on November 18, 2021.

In his memory, the Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library is working on building a repository and borrowing collection of nonfiction and fiction books that are connected to the Counties of Grey and Bruce. Your contribution will help us build and develop this legacy collection in honour of a loved and respected friend, mentor and community champion.

Andrew Armitage started employment at the library in 1973 and served as Library Director from 1974 to 2000. Under his leadership the library grew to become the largest union public library in Ontario. Andrew strived to make the library open and accessible to everyone. 

Over the years, Andrew wrote nearly 1400 “Read This” newspaper columns for the Owen Sound Sun Times. Published regularly until weeks before his death, it was the last syndicated newspaper column in Canada that regularly reviewed new Canadian books. We are working to keep these materials accessible to the public.

Andrew researched and wrote about the people and places from our region. A prodigious researcher and writer, Andrew Armitage wrote over 10,000 radio scripts. These local history vignettes, read by Ross Kentner, aired seven days a week as the Georgian Bay Explorer on CFOS, The Lake Huron Explorer on 98 the Beach (Port Elgin), the Nottawasaga Explorer on 97-7 the Beach (Wasaga Beach) and the Twin Lakes Explorer in Orillia. This is another project that we have undertaken to keep these resources accessible to the public.

After his retirement, Andrew worked with his partner Lorraine Brown at Apropos Planning, a Canadian consulting firm specializing in exhibit research and development, as well as interpretive planning and strategic planning for museum development, science centres and visitor centres.

Andrew Armitage was a champion of local history and mentor, guide, advocate and first reader for many authors locally and across Canada. His involvement and commitment to many local cultural and historical organizations over the past fifty years, including the founding board of Summerfolk, has benefitted our community in so many ways.  In 2013, Andrew Armitage received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Owen Sound Cultural Awards ceremony.