Springfield's 'singing custodian' retiring after 53 years - The Tennessean
James Cantrell, Jr. begain working for the City of Springfield on June 1, 1962. The 90-year-old janitor is hanging up his mop and rolling trash can that he has wheeled around City Hall for years, cleaning and singing to anyone who would listen. Cantrell told the Times in a 2013 interview that he began his work for the city in 1962 following a back injury he received while working on another job. Cantrell was in his mid-30s when he began working for the City of Springfield at City Hall. "I figured if you have to work, you might as well be working somewhere, so I stayed on," Cantrell said in 2013. "I've worked under three mayors, Travis Price, Dave Fisher and Billy Paul Carneal. Springfield Assistant City Manager Gina Holt said that, with the exception of mandatory vactation leave, Cantrell rarely missed work. Employment records show he missed an average of 1. 5 days of sick leavee per year for the past 25 years. “He’s without a doubt the most reliable and dependable employee we have ever had,” Holt said. The City of Springfield is hosting a retirement party for Cantrell at City Hall on Friday, June 5 from 4:30 to 6 p. m. Source: www.tennessean.com
