City reveals 25 who make cut for Order of Vaughan

Yorkregion.com
Oct. 21, 2016
By Tim Kelly

A human rights advocate, two local real estate developers, a former top cop and a UNICEF National Ambassador are among those being inducted into the Order of Vaughan at the inaugural investiture ceremony Oct. 25.

The city unveiled the list of recipients of the new honour, launched this year to mark Vaughan's 25th anniversary as a city, on Tuesday Oct. 18.

Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua saluted the recipients for their efforts to improve life in Vaughan.

"We are blessed to have citizens who give back to the community in a very meaningful way. Exemplary citizenship deserves to be recognized," Bevilacqua said.

The Order of Vaughan recognizes people within these categories: arts and entertainment, media and communications, athletics, health and wellness, business, philanthropy, public service, education, science and technology, not-for-profit, equity and diversity, accessibility, environment and spirituality.

This year's recipients are:

• John Amendola, owner of several local Snapd newspaper franchises, for media and communications.
• Carlo Baldassarra, president and CEO of Greenpark Homes, for philanthropy.
• Avi Benlolo, human rights advocate and resident and chief executive officer of Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies, for equity and diversity.
• Franca Damiani Carella, founder of drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre the Vitanova Foundation and wife of Woodbridge West Councillor Tony Carella, for health and wellness.
• Sam Ciccolini, co-founder of Masters Insurance and prominent community volunteer, for philanthropy.
• Mario Cortellucci, real estate developer with The Cortellucci Group of Companies, for philanthropy.
• Noor Din, founder of non-profit organization Human Endeavour, for not-for-profit.
• Marie Fiorellino Di Poce, leader of Empowerment Through Achievement (ETA) Vaughan Women’s Shelter and Outreach Centre, for public service.
• Julian Fantino, former head of the OPP as well Toronto, York and London police services as well as a former Conservative MP representing Vaughan, for public service.
• Isabella Ferrara, chairperson of SAVI (Seniors Association of Vaughan Initiative), for public service.
• Hannah Godefa, a girls' rights activist, UNICEF Ethiopia National Ambassador and founder of Pencil Mountain, for not-for-profit
• Sandy Keshen, accessibility advocate, for accessibility.
• Gus Longo, co-founder of Longo’s grocery store chain, for business.
• Dominic Mancuso, Juno-award-winning singer/songwriter, for arts and entertainment.
• Shernett Martin, founder of Vaughan African Canadian Association, CariVaughan, for education.
• James Maynard, dedicated to protection of Vaughan's heritage, promotion of community education, for public service
• Nick Puopolo, Canadian Opera House, Ripley's Aquarium, LED lighting system for Niagara Falls, for business.
• Vivian Risi, contributor to Yellow Brick House, Vaughan charities, for philanthropy.
• David Rocco, arts and entertainment personality actively involved in Vaughan hosting events, for arts and entertainment.
• Bob Santos, encouraged employers to integrate people with disabilities into workforce, for accessibility.
• Giuliano Todaro, Founder of Giulano's Journey, non-profit to promote education and research funding to help children with leukemia, for philanthropy.
• Garry Vosburg, who has contributed impactful meaningful public service to youth and the broader community, for public service.
• Nicholas Voudouris, a physician holding a number of leadership roles in community including support of Mackenzie Health's fundraising efforts, for health and wellness.
• Peter Wixson, long-standing executive director of Vaughan Food Bank, for public service.
• Daniele Zanotti, president and CEO of United Way of Toronto annd York Region, for not-for-profit.

Following the Oct. 25 ceremony, an event will take place at the Riviera Parque, at 2800 Hwy. 7, to celebrate Vaughan's milestone year. Members of the public are encouraged to attend.