Saturday
Opening Ceremonies - between 2:45pm & 3pm - Main Stage
The Mississauga Italfest Inaugural Sam Ciccolini Legacy Award for Community Impact Honouree
Born in Pescosolido, Frosinone, Italy, Sam immigrated to Canada in 1956 and proudly became a Canadian citizen in 1958. He later re-acquired his Italian citizenship in 1995, embracing his dual heritage with pride. Together with his wife Donna, to whom he has been married for over 56 years, Sam has built a beautiful family, including their son Michael, three grandchildren—Eric, Cristina, and Jacqueline—and the cherished memory of their late daughter Cristina.
Sam’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to co-found Masters Insurance Limited over 58 years ago, a company that now employs more than 150 Canadians and operates across Canada and the United States. Under his leadership, Masters Insurance has grown into a mid-sized brokerage specializing in construction insurance, manufacturing, and bonds.
Despite his business success, Sam’s heart has always been with his community. Over the years, he has volunteered tirelessly, co-chairing and raising funds for over 40 organizations, including hospitals, police services, senior care facilities, and scholarship funds. His leadership roles include serving as Chair of the Board for I.C. Savings, Villa Charities, and Richview Manor Home for Seniors. His efforts have touched lives across Vaughan, Toronto, and beyond.
Sam’s passion for youth and sports is equally inspiring. He has co-founded numerous hockey and soccer organizations, including the Vaughan Kings AAA Hockey Association, and has played key roles with Hockey Canada, supporting Olympic hockey teams and other initiatives. His belief in the power of sports to shape young lives is evident in his unwavering commitment.
One of Sam’s most profound contributions is the establishment of the Cristina Ciccolini Bone Marrow Foundation, named in honor of his late daughter. This foundation has raised over $1.5 million for research into Fanconi Anemia, helping advance medical breakthroughs and offering hope to families affected by this rare disorder.
Sam’s extraordinary efforts have earned him numerous accolades, including the Order of Canada, Order of Ontario, and Order of Vaughan, as well as recognition from the Government of Italy with the Commander of the Order of the Star of Solidarity. His legacy is celebrated not only in awards but in the lives, he has touched and the communities he has strengthened.
At 80 years of age, Sam remains fiercely proud of his dual heritage and continues to embody the values of generosity, leadership, and service. He is a shining example of what it means to give back to the community and to celebrate the greatness of Canada.
Ladies and gentlemen, please join Mississauga Italfest in honoring Sam J. Ciccolini, a true pillar of our community and a man whose life’s work inspires us all.
Heritage Awards Ceremony - between 7:45pm – 8:20pm - Main Stage
Mississauga Italfest Louis Jannetta Youth Heritage Award - Maurizio Gioffre
Maurizio was born in Mississauga, Ontario, and takes great pride in his Calabrese and Abruzzese heritage, which comes from his grandparents who immigrated from Vallelonga and Roccamorice during the 1950s.
Actively involved in his community, Maurizio has served as a director for Heritage Calabria for four years and spent two years contributing to the Mississauga Italfest committee. His involvement with Italfest started when he shadowed the logistics coordinator, and within a year he moved on to managing logistics and recruiting new committee members. Maurizio is deeply devoted to preserving Italian Canadian heritage and strives to ensure that future generations can celebrate their traditions through lively community events like Italfest.
Beyond his roles with Heritage Calabria and Italfest, Maurizio regularly engages in local cultural projects that benefit both newcomers and longtime residents. He is passionate about building unity and pride among Italian Canadians, frequently working with other organizations to promote educational and cultural initiatives across Mississauga. Maurizio’s commitment continues to motivate others, and he looks forward to launching new initiatives that will further showcase the richness of Italian culture within Canada’s multicultural landscape. Maurizio remains deeply committed to the Italian Canadian community, working to ensure that the legacy of past generations is honoured through events like Italfest. He is passionate about providing future generations with opportunities to celebrate and preserve Italian traditions including being a passionate youth ambassador for Mississauga Italfest.
Mississauga Italfest Heritage Family Award - The Aldo & Noreen Lista Family
The Lista family has been a proud part of Mississauga for many years, blending their Italian heritage with a deep connection to their community. Noreen Sannuto and Aldo Lista were married in 1955, beginning a life founded on family, faith, and hard work. They raised four children—Frank, Claudina, Jon Carlo, and Eugenia—while establishing two successful family businesses: New Paramount Photography Studios in Toronto and Old Credit Brewery in Mississauga. Throughout the years, they became known for their generosity, involvement in local sports and cultural events, and dedication to helping others. Although Aldo passed away in 2021, his spirit continues to live on through Noreen, who remains at the heart of the family. She is surrounded by their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, all of whom continue to honor the values and traditions that have shaped their story.
2025 Mississauga Italfest Johnny Lombardi Heritge Award – Aldo Costantino
Aldo was born in Italy in a small farming village in 1946. Aldo’s love for soccer and bocce began at early age. He enjoyed organizing soccer games with local villages and developed his bocce skills as he competed with the adults in his community. In 1966, Aldo immigrated to Canada and quickly became a part of the Ital Canadian Community, helping to organize bocce tournaments, but trips discovering Ontario, picnics, soccer games and dinner dance events. His passion to help the Italian community became part of his career. In 1976, Aldo became a partner in a travel agency in Etobicoke and was able to help many Italian Canadians with essential services such as income tax preparation, Canadian and Italian Pension applications and other Italian documents. The travel agency grew over the years employing over 110 employees. Outside of his business, Aldo continued to help local clubs, churches and charity groups with necessary accounting services. In 1981, while coaching his son’s soccer team, Aldo joined the Dixie Soccer Club and was on the board of directors for 12 years. His love for the game of bocce has inspired Aldo to work with the City of Mississauga for the past 20 years promoting the game. Today, Aldo continues to own his own business preparing Canadian Income Tax returns, helping people plan for retirement, and proudly serving many of his clients from 1972.
