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Guzzo named Person of the Year by CIBPA
Vince Guzzo ’86 has been named Person of the Year for 2019 by the Canadian Italian Business and Professional Association (CIBPA).
The Person of the Year project originated in 1967 for the purpose of paying tribute to outstanding individuals for their exceptional dedication and tireless efforts in contributing to the public welfare, the CIBPA explains.
This initiative is not limited to a specific function or field, but the contribution of the recipient is seriously considered, whatever their field of endeavour.
The first person to be chosen for this honour was Montreal Mayor Jean Drapeau, in 1967, for his contribution to the success of EXPO ’67. Since then, recipients have included such notables as Charles Bronfman and Jean Beliveau, as well as Dr. Francesco Bellini and Claudio Bussandri, both parents of Selwyn House Old Boys.
On Feb. 12, the name of Vincenzo Guzzo was added to the list. Vince is a Canadian entrepreneur, philanthropist and television personality. He currently serves as CEO of Cinémas Guzzo, Groupe Guzzo Construction inc., Guzzo Medical and Guzzo Hospitality.
At Selwyn House, he has sat on the SHA Board of Directors since 2015, as well as serving on the Old Boys’ Board from 2003 to 2006. He has been a staunch supporter of Old Boy events such as the annual Old Boys and Friends’ Golf Tournament, which he won in 2014.
More recently, he has also become a restaurateur, with the opening of a chain of Neapolitan pizzerias called Giulietta in Montreal. He and his wife, Maria, raise money for charities through the Guzzo Family Foundation. Mr. Guzzo was a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012; he was also knighted by the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic and is a member of the Order of Malta.
Vince received national attention in 2018 and 2019 when he joined the cast of the CBC Television business reality show Dragons' Den as one of the investor "Dragons" in season 13 and season 14.
Vince has four sons who have attended Selwyn House: Angelo 2015, Vittorio 2017, Vito 2022 and Delano 2026.
An announcement of Vince’s CIBPA honour carries the following quote from the man who has been nicknamed “Mr. Sunshine”: “Success doesn’t come from what you do occasionally, it comes from what you do consistently.”
