TORONTO – The event was billed as a 50th anniversary Gala for Lido Construction. It was that and more, much more! First, admission of personal bias. I was impressed with organizational detail, beginning with the musical backdrop that met guests in the lobby and in the Hall. It set a welcoming mood matched only by the quality of the service, the range of hors d’oeuvres, exquisite taste manifested in the arrangement of décor and timeliness of very carefully prepared and delivery of a first-class meal.
I cannot recall a more impressive occasion. Madeleine Brazeau-Montesano would have been pleased. She and her Husband, Donato (Dan) founded Lido Construction, a finish Carpentry enterprise, 50 years ago. The event was in her honor.
Apart from the legacy of service, success and community involvement, that she and her husband established as hallmarks of their company their success was peppered with substantial contributions to service-oriented institutions and projects that rarely drew public praise. They never sought it.
This time Dan wanted everyone to know that Madeleine had made an endowment in her Will that for this occasion LIDO make a series of bequests to the following: York Regional Police services and three Hospitals (Humber River Health Foundation, Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital and Scarborough General). The police will establish a Foundation, interest from which earned yearly to be made available to recognize specific constables who stand out for service to the citizenry. The Hospitals will make the appropriate recognitions in naming specific areas of their facilities in her name.
Various elected officials participated in the formalities. Senatore Toni Varone delivered his own congratulations and read out a message from Prime Minister Carney. MPs Francesco Sorbara and Judy Sgro brought their own recognitions. Vaughan Mayor Steven Del Duca, accompanied by several councilors, did likewise. The Executive director of the Italian Cultural Institute, Veronica Manson, brought her own congratulations and read our “expressions of merit” on behalf of the State of Italy from the Consul General Luca Zelioli. Another Mayor, Luca Festino, of Palazzo San Gervasio, accompanied with some councillors also delivered a scroll recognizing the contributions of Dan and Madeleine.
Filippo Gravina, president of the Basilicata Cultural Society, and one of Madeleine’s nieces, Diane Beauchesne, added the human, distinctive touch. It was just the right note to add to the appreciation by the Carpenters’ Union, workers, family and friends who celebrated with Dan and [posthumously] Madeleine.
A remarkable event to highlight the achievements of a humble couple whose entire world revolved around them.
Even in providing attendees with a grand Gala, they saw their guests off with impressive party favours. Auguri to Dan, Madeleine and LIDO. And a great job by Sam Ciccolini, as master of ceremonies.
In the pic above, Danny Montesano (center) with representatives of the institutions that benefited from his donations; here below is a photogallery from the events, with pics by Raquel and Raul (Corriere Canadese)
