ristorante boccaccio - Villa Charities

In This Issue 

Pg. 2 

Villa Charities 

Pg. 3 

VITA 

Pg. 4 

Villa Colombo Vaughan 

Di Poce Centre 

Pg. 6 

Villa Colombo 

Pg. 8 

Carrier Gallery 

Pg. 10 

Columbus Centre 

Seantor Con Di Nino (third from right), chair of AERF and Pal Di Iulio (far right), President and CEO of 

Villa Charities, travelled to L’Aquila with the Canadian delegation to the G8 Summit this past July. 

Italian-Canadians respond to 

disaster in l’Aquila 

“Aiutaci! Non abbiamo piu niente!” “Help us! We are left with nothing!” 

The cries for help in Abruzzo were not easy to ignore. Which is why 

Italian-Canadians did not turn a deaf ear to the victims of the earthquake that 

struck l’Aquila on April 6, 2009. The numbers are staggering: 298 dead, 

1,000 injured, 65,000 people displaced, 15,000 buildings damaged or 

destroyed and 49 towns/cities affected. 

Within hours of hearing the devastating news, various groups in the GTA 

mobilized the entire community to raise funds and rebuild – including the 

Abruzzo Earthquake Relief Fund. 

“Our objective is to engage the Canadian community to provide moral, 

social and financial assistance to those affected by this terrible tragedy,” states 

Senator Con Di Nino, chair, AERF. 

The funds raised by AERF will be used to aid in the reconstruction of the 

areas most affected by the earthquake. 

To date, numerous organizations have chosen to participate in AERF, 

including: Villa Charities family of organizations, Villa Colombo, VITA 

Community Living Services, Mens Sana, Columbus Centre, Villa Colombo 

Vaughan, in addition to Canadian Italian Business & Professional Association, 

Centro Scuola e Cultura Italiana, Italian Chamber of Commerce of Toronto, 

Associazione Culturale Abruzzo Canada, Casa Abruzzo, Order of Sons of Italy 

of Canada, Italian Canadian Savings and Credit Union, and other members 

and leaders of the Italian community. 

Three months of intense fundraising have netted over $700,000 in funds 

that will be put towards a reconstruction project to be determined by the AERF 

board of directors. (Cont’d on Pg. 2) 

Giro T.O. 

celebrates 

cycling with 

an Italian spin 

Cycling enthusiasts and Villa 

Charities supporters came out for 

the 4th annual Giro T.O. – a 

charity bike ride that combines 

cycling with all things Italian. 

Almost 200 girini took part in the 

boot-shaped route – the largest 

turnout to date! 

After breakfast and opening 

ceremonies at Columbus Centre, 

the riders, many of whom entered 

Giro as teams, set out on their 

journey through the streets of 

Toronto and Vaughan. Some 

completed the full route (100km) 

and others opted for the shorter 

route (80km). 

Along the way, they visited 

distinctly Italian neighbourhoods 

and indulged at rest stops 

including gelato and espresso on 

College Street and polenta and 

sausage at Famee Furlane in 

Vaughan. Riders also visited 

VITA/Mens Sana and Villa 

Colombo Vaughan along the way. 

Everyone met back at Columbus 

Centre-Villa Colombo for a 

delicious BBQ, pizza and, of 

course, the famous pasta e fagioli! 

Special recognition goes to 

(Cont’d in Report to Donors) 

Peter Naccarato (right)

Villa Charities 

VILLA CHARITIES INC. 

BOARD OF GOVERNORS 

PAST CHAIR 

Dino Chiesa 

CHAIR 

Nick Torchetti 

VICE CHAIR 

Nina Perfetto 

TREASURER 

Mark Di Vito 

SECRETARY 

Aldo Cundari 

GOVERNORS 

Nick Ametrano 

Paul Bottos 

Rudolph P. Bratty 

Ken Cancellara 

Sam Ciccolini 

Enzo Cuttini 

Lisa Damiani 

Lucia Favret 

Mario Giampietri 

Robert Martella 

Edward Mancinelli 

Nick Manocchio 

Paul Mior 

Brian Narine 

Grace Palumbo-Eremita 

Nick Sgro 

Joseph Tanzola 

Carla Tatangelo 

Rina Tiberini 

PRESIDENT & CEO 

Pal Di Iulio 

DIRECTOR OF FINANCE 

Ugo Di Federico 

Pub #40013194 

Return undeliverable 

Canadian addresses to: 

Villa Charities Newsletter 

901 Lawrence Ave.W. 

Toronto, Ont M6A 1C3 

2 x Villa Charities Newsletter 

Dal Canada con Amore 

Italian and Jewish communities in Toronto join 

forces to aid victims of earthquake in Abruzzo 

The cooperation of two communities in Toronto 

will mean increased medical supplies for thousands of 

victims in the devastated areas of L’Aquila, Abruzzo. 

Thanks to the leadership, initiative and generosity of 

Walter Arbib of Skylink Aviation, UJA 

Federation of Greater Toronto, the 

Canadian Jewish Congress Charities 

Committee and the Abruzzo 

Earthquake Relief Fund accepted and 

sent medicine valued at $360,000 to 

Italy’s Protezione Civile Nazionale 

under the auspices of the Municipality 

of Rome for hospitals in areas of 

Abruzzo that suffered from the 

earthquake on April 6th. 

A Libyan Italian Jew, Mr. Arbib 

found refuge in Italy at a young age and lived there for 

many years before moving to Israel and subsequently to 

Canada. 

“I consider myself to be equally Italian and Jewish, 

and Canadian to boot,” states Mr. Arbib. “I feel this 

project is a unique opportunity to give back and assist 

the country that gave me and the community of Libyan 

Jews shelter after the expulsion from Libya in 1967, 

(Cont’d from cover) At the G8 Summit, Prime 

Minister Harper on behalf of the Government of Canada 

pledged $5 million for a youth centre in the heart of 

L’Aquila, and the Province of Ontario has been approached 

and is considering their contribution. The Canadian 

contributions will be based on the requirements expressed 

by the residents affected by the earthquakes; this may 

include community centres, seniors’ or children’s centres, 

or programs needed by the people whose lives have been 

so tragically affected. AERF trustees have and will be in 

the L’Aquila area, each at their own expense, to get a first 

hand view of the conditions and community needs. 

and a second chance all those years ago – a kind of 

friendship without borders.” 

Other medicines also worth $360,000 were 

presented to the Abruzzo population at the same time by 

the Jewish Community in Italy under the auspices of 

SkyLink Air and Logistic Italy and the Rome Municipality. 

This is not the first time the 

Jewish and Italian communities have 

collaborated. In 2004, Villa Charities 

and numerous Jewish groups 

celebrated the life of Giorgio Perlasca, 

an Italian credited with saving the lives 

of thousands of Jews in Hungary 

during World War II. 

In fact, many small towns in the 

affected areas of Abruzzo such as 

Fossa, Ofena, and Casentino 

sheltered Jews from the Nazis. 

The medicine was shipped to Abruzzo and was 

selected and approved by the Italian government. 

“On behalf of the thousands of people in Abruzzo 

who will heal faster and better because of this medicine, 

I thank Walter Arbib, UJA Federation of Greater 

Toronto and Canadian Jewish Congress for their 

kindness, leadership and humanity in time of need,” 

states Senator Con Di Nino, chair, AERF. 

“From golf tournaments, dinners, casino nights to 

large corporate donations to $2.30 from a young child in 

daycare at Columbus Centre, the response from the 

community has been tremendous,” states Senator Di 

Nino. “There is still much work to do, but I am 

confident that our community in Toronto, and across 

Canada, will continue to give and support us as we 

rebuild a part of Italy, a part of our culture.” 

For more information on the Abruzzo Earthquake Relief 

Fund, to make a donation or to see upcoming events, visit 

www.abruzzoearthquakerelieffund.ca 

In Memoriam: Mrs. Filomena Ciccolini 

A loving wife, mother, grandmother - the entire Villa Charities family mourns 

the loss of Mrs. Filomena Ciccolini who passed away at the end of May. 

Mrs. Ciccolini was the mother of Sam Ciccolini, Chair of Villa Colombo 

Vaughan and member of the Villa Charities Foundation, Frank Ciccolini, past 

Chair of Villa Colombo and grandmother to Frank Ciccolini Jr., Chair of the Villa 

Colombo Golf Tournament for many years. 

“Mrs. Ciccolini was the matriarch of two generations of the Ciccolini family, 

all of whom have been involved with our community at many levels and the Villa 

Charities family for the past 40 years,” states Nick Torchetti, chair, Villa Charities 

Inc. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family as we remember a truly 

remarkable woman.”

Both Sides Now: Changing Lives 

They came from Sudbury and North Bay, they 

came from Windsor, from Campbellford and Ottawa. 

It seemed like a day that all roads led to VITA. 

Almost three years ago, VITA began a self 

advocate group within the organization. “The Right’s 

Group” as they have dubbed themselves has made 

their presence known within the organization and 

has affected even the very language VITA uses to 

describe its work. 

Part of VITA’s vision was to host a conference 

for self advocates and for their care providers. The 

conference, which took place on June 2, 2009, was 

named ‘Both Sides Now’ because education was 

provided to both self-advocates and staff – if self 

advocates learn to speak up, then care providers 

need to learn to listen up. 

“VITA is resource rich when it comes to putting 

together a conference like this – all speakers were 

VITA staff,” states Manuela Dalla Nora, Executive 

Director of VITA/Mens Sana. “As an organization, 

VITA provides anger management, self esteem, abuse 

prevention and relationship training classes. Our 

instructors each offered sessions at the conference 

which was headlined by VITA’s Director of Clinical 

and Educational Supports, David Hingsburger, who is 

an internationally recognized speaker and trainer.” 

History In The Making 

Organizations change as they grow and mature. 

Some changes are gradual, happening without 

much notice. Others come with much fanfare. Some 

are a combination of both. 

For VITA, history was made when David White 

joined the Board of Directors. Over the past few 

years, VITA has increasingly worked to ensure that 

the voices of self advocates are heard throughout the 

organization. The formation of a Self Advocate 

group within VITA was part of that effort. 

Soon after forming, the question was being 

asked about Self Advocate representation on the 

Board of Directors. 

“Luckily, as we came to consider the question 

we realized that our Self Advocate group was the 

perfect training format for someone to learn the 

skills of thoughtful leadership,” states Manuela Dalla 

VITA Community Living Services 

VITA’s Self Advocate group has gained much 

experience speaking at and attending the Master’s 

Series and from other opportunities arising within 

the group. The members were there throughout the 

day providing introductions to all sessions and 

helping out with the organization of the day. 

The final presentation was by Justin Hines who 

is a singer/songwriter with a physical disability. 

Justin is presently featured singing the Ontario song 

in a series of commercials aimed at promoting 

tourism in Ontario. 

The day of the conference, Justin’s second CD 

was released and he was featured on the front page 

of several Toronto newspapers and was seen 

interviewed on MTV. Even so, Justin stayed and 

signed CD’s for a long line up of people who 

attended the conference. He was patient and kind to 

all who needed or wanted a bit of his time. Not only 

that, Justin and his management donated half of the 

proceeds of the CD’s sold at the conference back to 

VITA to promote work with self advocates. 

VITA staff is just now going through a review of 

the feedback from both staff and members, presenters 

and attendees. The universal message is – ‘OK, when 

is the next one?’ 

Nora, Executive Director of VITA. “There were a 

number of Self Advocates that could, and should, 

have the opportunity to serve at Board level within 

the organization.” 

To keep the selection process fair and inclusive, 

the self advocate group was asked to select two 

members who would like to be on the Board. These 

two would then meet with Manuela and discuss the 

role and purpose of membership on the Board. 

From there a decision would be made. 

“David White was selected to be part of the 

strategic planning and will be a wonderful asset to 

the Board. David represents the Self Advocate voice 

but he also represents VITA’s ongoing commitment 

to inclusivity and respect. We welcome David to the 

Board,” states Paul Mior, Chair, VITA Community 

Living Services/Mens Sana. 

Articles within the VITA Community Living Services section were provided by David Hingsburger unless otherwise noted. 

VITA COMMUNITY LIVING 

SERVICES 


IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT 

Rick De Vincenzo 

PRESIDENT 

Paul Mior 

VICE PRESIDENT 

Brian Naraine 

TREASURER 

Larry Andrade 

SECRETARY 

Paul Bottos 

GOVERNORS 

Lou Cairo 

Morris Cariola 

Robert Caruso 

Wilma Cesario 

Rosanna D’Ambrosi 

Frank De Cesare 

Fausto Gaudio 

Lorne Glass 

Nancy Salerno 

SELF ADVOCATE 

David White 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 

Manuela Dalla Nora 

Villa Charities Newsletter x 3

Villa Colombo Vaughan Di Poce Centre 

The second oldest game in 

the book 

A favourite Italian past-time lives on at Villa Colombo 

Vaughan. Everyday, residents have the luxury of enjoying the 

great outdoors while playing a friendly game of bocce on the 

courts located on the picturesque grounds. 

Thanks in part to the popularity of the game at the Villa, 

every year, the staff and residents organize a bocce tournament. 

The 3rd edition took place on June 8th, 2009 and welcomed 

bocce-playing guests including Villa Colombo Vaughan board 

members, the Construction Committee and residents. 

Special thanks to Jim De Gasperis, Toni Varone and board 

members Rina Tiberini, Michelina De Carlo and Stephen 

Shulman for their support. 

Extending our Care 

Sam Ciccolini (third from left), Chair of Villa Colombo Vaughan, accepts the donation from 

Extendicare - $25,000 will be allocated to Villa Colombo Vaughan 

Villa Charities Newsletter x 4 

Celebrating those who 

serve the community 

Villa Colombo Vaughan is a true community organization 

– a place that serves the community, but also a place that relies 

on support from other community members. 

To recognize those who assist and support the home, the 

staff and residents recently held a BBQ to show their 

appreciation to the Emergency Services in Vaughan. On June 

15, 2009, the fire, police and EMS departments enjoyed a 

delicious lunch while mingling with residents and staff. 

Superintendent Tony Cusimano, OPP Commissioner Julian 

Fantino, Fire Chief Greg Senay and others attended the event. 

“We host this BBQ every year to show our appreciation to 

all Emergency Services for their support to our home,” states 

Sam Ciccolini, chair, Villa Colombo Vaughan. “We are able to 

provide top notch care and services to our residents thanks to 

the outstanding support we receive from the community of 

Vaughan, including the emergency services departments.” 

Every year, Extendicare, the 

professional company that manages 

Villa Colombo Vaughan, generously 

organizes a fundraiser from which a 

portion of the proceeds go to Villa 

Colombo Vaughan. 

The Extending Our Care 

Fundraising Gala was held this year 

on April 24th, 2009 at Eagles Nest 

Golf Club. Alan Frew, the voice of 

Alan Frew, the voice of Glass 

Tiger, entertains the crowd 

Glass Tiger, who is a 5 time Juno Award winner and Grammy 

nominee, attended the event as the main entertainment. 

Extendicare was able to raised $200,000 that evening, of 

which $25,000 will go to Villa Colombo Vaughan. The funds 

will be allocated into staff education, information technology or 

resident care.

First 100 years! 

Family, residents, staff and community members 

gathered together on June 26, 2009 to celebrate Palmira 

Grando’s 100th birthday – the first resident at Villa 

Colombo Vaughan to celebrate such a milestone! 

Mrs. Grando has been a resident at Villa Colombo 

Vaughan since May 4th, 2007. Mrs. Grando immigrated 

to Canada in February 1954 from Friuli, Italy. She has 

two children, Joe and Vilma, five grandchildren and five 

great grandchildren. She worked passionately 

throughout her life and immensely values her family. 

“I extend sincere wishes to Signora Grando and her 

family on this momentous occasion,” states Sam 

Ciccolini, Chair, Villa Colombo Vaughan. “This is also a 

milestone for Villa Colombo Vaughan – our first resident 

to turn 100 years old, a true testament to the 

exceptional, culturally sensitive care we provide.” 

A special plaque commemorating the occasion was 

presented to Mrs. Grando, as well as special greetings in 

Furlan from OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino. 

Auguri! 

Enhancing quality of life 

Family, friends and residents gathered on May 8, 2009 for Villa Colombo 

Vaughan’s 3rd annual Family and Friends Dinner. The event, organized by 

board members Rina Tiberini, Michelina De Carlo along with staff members 

Amalia Aiello and Maria Morra, raised money to enhance the quality of life 

for residents at Villa Colombo Vaughan. 

Villa Colombo Vaughan Di Poce Centre 

VILLA COLOMBO VAUGHAN 


HONOURARY CHAIR 

Fred DeGasperis 

CHAIR 

Sam Ciccolini 

1ST VICE CHAIR 

Rina Tiberini 

2ND VICE CHAIR 

Edward Mancinelli 

TREASURER 

Stephen Shulman 

SECRETARY 

Lorraine Bortolussi 

GOVERNORS 

Quinto Annibale 

Anthony Baldassarra 

Carla DeGasperis 

Michelina Di Carlo 

Enzo Di Iorio 

Ben Soave 


Dr. Fabio Varlese 

ACTING ADMINISTRATOR 

Valeria DeSimone 


Villa Colombo Services for Seniors 

Caring through the ages: 

Continuum of care 

Villa Charities, and the service provided by its 

affiliate organizations, have been part of Teresa Perri’s 

life for 16 years. 

Born in Cosenza, Calabria, Teresa, her husband 

and three children made a life for themselves in the 

Dufferin and Lawrence area of Toronto where they 

owned a store. As the years wore on, her children 

grew and started their own families. 

After Teresa’s husband passed away, she made the 

decision to move into an apartment at Casa DelZotto, 

one of Villa Charities’ independent living apartments 

for seniors. This allowed her to stay in the 

neighbourhood she called home since arriving in 

Canada, while not feeling so alone. 

While living at Casa DelZotto, Teresa began 

volunteering at Villa Colombo right next door. As the 

effects of aging began to take their toll on Teresa, she 

joined the Elderly Persons Centre – a day program run 

by Villa Colombo designed to reach out to seniors over 

55 years of age living in the community. For an annual 

fee, seniors are invited to participate in a variety of 

recreational and social programs. 

A few years later, Teresa’s needs changed – and 

Villa Colombo was there to help her live more 

comfortably in her own apartment. Teresa joined the 

Frail Elderly Centre at Villa Colombo, a service where 

seniors living in the community who are isolated at 

home due to illness, stroke, frailty or neuromuscular 

Celebrating 

Seniors 

June was a flurry of activity at 

Villa Colombo as residents, family 

and staff celebrated Seniors’ Month 

– a special designation recognized 

by the Government of Ontario. 

The festivities kicked off with a 

concert on June 1st and then a 

lively variety night on June 15 


when residents enjoyed various 

entertainment, including a live 

band, dancing and refreshments. 

Debecca Fashions hosted a 

fashion show for Villa’s residents 

and clients on June 17. Twentyeight 

seniors modeled the clothing 

specifically designed for seniors. 

One of Villa Colombo’s 100-year 

old residents, Nunzio Iacobellis, 

was the first proud model to walk 

the runway. The clothes were 

impairment can enjoy a supervised social environment. 

As part of the F.E.C., Teresa enjoyed home cooked 

Italian meals and participated in the exercise program. 

When the time came for Teresa and her family to 

make the next serious decision about her care, they 

didn’t have to look very far for a friendly, familiar, 

culturally sensitive place where she could live and be 

taken care of. Teresa became a resident at Villa 

Colombo and enjoys a lifestyle that keeps her active 

and enriched during her golden years. 

“I came to Villa Colombo to have someone to take 

care of me. I’m glad I have someone to socialize with 

here, I’m not alone. I like that there is always something 

going on - the exercise programs, the parties, special 

outings. It feels like home here,” says Teresa. 

For more information on these and other programs, 

please contact the Villa Colombo Community Services office 

at (416) 780-0407. 

displayed near the fountain area 

where the seniors were able to 

purchase the items modeled. 

The celebrations wrapped up 

with the ever popular porchetta 

night on June 24. Residents and 

their family feasted on porchetta (a 

traditional Italian roasted pork 

dish) while socializing and enjoying 

music provided by the house band. 

VILLA COLOMBO 

SERVICES FOR SENIORS 


PAST CHAIR 

Enzo Cuttini 

CHAIR 



Grace Palumbo-Eremita 


Angelo Pesce 

TREASURER 

Robert Galati 

SECRETARY 

Santo Veltri 

GOVERNORS 

Rosanna Arduini 

Anna Carino 

Luigi d’Ambrosio 

Ron Di Francesco 

Joseph J. Fusco 

Fr. Massey Lombardi 

Peter Santini 

Piero Suppa 

Joseph Tanzola 

Gabriella Tino 


Dr. Marisa Zorzitto 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 

& CEO 

Fernando Scopa

VCLA 

The VCLA promotes Family, Food, Fun Faith and Fundraising for the ultimate benefit 

of the residents of Villa Colombo. 

VCLA 20th Annual Golf Tournament 

The 20th annual VCLA Golf Tournament on 

May 29, 2009 was a true 

success thanks to a team 

of dedicated volunteers. 

The event, which was held 

at Glen Eagle Golf Club, 

went off without a hitch! 

From the morning 

registration to the end of 

day clean up, the golf 

committee worked 

harmoniously and had 

great fun doing it. 

The Committee, 

which was a collaborative 

team of VCLA Board 

members, senior staff from 

Villa Colombo and senior 

Scotiabank mangers, is to 

be commended for the 

great success. 

“The committee used 

their unique talents 

coupled with the 

commitment, dedication 

and the hard work that it takes to make an 

event such as this possible,” states Gabriella 

Tino, chair, VCLA. “Many of our guests 

including Laura Albanese, MPP York South, 

commented on the professionalism, the 

Join the Villa Colombo Ladies’ Auxiliary and be part of a dynamic group of dedicated volunteers who 

share their time and love, fundraising for Villa Colombo. 

Please call our office at (416)789-2113 ext 2260, or visit us at www.villacharities.com. 

CONSTRUCTION ALERT 

On May 25th, 2009, renovations to residents’ bathing 

areas in the Fusco Wing of Villa Colombo began. The 

construction will last approximately four months. 

“The demolition phase has begun, and while there is a lot 

of noise, our residents are very happy as they are anticipating 

the improvements they have been waiting for,” states Nick 

Manocchio, new Chair, Villa Colombo Services for Seniors. 

Once completed, each floor will have newly renovated 

bathing areas with two tubs and two showers, a wheel chair 

accessible bathroom and a dressing area. The access to the 

bathing area will be improved as new wider doorways will be 

installed for residents’ safety and comfort. 

This will help staff to provide the 40,664 baths per year 

and improve the quality of service delivery. 

Villa Colombo Services for Seniors 

excellent menu and the organizational expertise 

evident throughout the day.” 

Special thanks are extended 

to Fernando Scopa, Wieslawa 

Stepkowska and Antonio 

Ferreira for their support in 

securing the sponsors and 

making it such a fun day! 

A huge thank you to chair, 

Frances Gratta, who puts her 

heart and soul into making the 

VCLA Golf Tournament better 

every year, and co-chair Lucy 

Zampiero, our organizer 

extraordinaire. 

All money raised from the 

VCLA Golf Tournament will 

be used to purchase electric 

beds for the residents of Villa 

Colombo. In appreciation, our 

corporate sponsors, 

MediSystem Pharmacy, 

Scotiabank, DeMansou 

Construction Ltd., 

Commercial Bakeries Corp., 

Shoppers Home Health Care 

and Mary Montanari will be honoured with 

special recognition on a senior’s bed. 

Thank you to all of our sponsors and 

golfers for your continuous support. 

Giacomo Carcasole, Villa Colombo’s oldest 

resident, helps the construction crew start 

demolition of the old bathing areas 

VILLA COLOMBO LADIES’ AUXILIARY 


PAST PRESIDENT 

Camille Mainelli 

PRESIDENT 

Gabriella Tino 

1ST VICE PRESIDENT 

Frances Gratta 

2ND VICE PRESIDENT 

Marisa Celenza 

TREASURER 

Rita Rotundo 

ASSISTANT TREASURER 

Maria Jose Silva 

GENERAL SECRETARY 

Mara Busca 

MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY 

Rose Greco 

ASSISTANT MEMBERSHIP SECRETARIES 

Lucy Zampiero 

and Melina Zeppieri 

DIRECTORS 

Josie Cuda 

Olivia De Miglio 

Louisa Dobilas 

Jan Grossi 

Maura Miranda 

Carmela Rotolo 

Sandra Scorsolini-Bernardo > 

Connie Vella-MacKay 

Mary Venditti 

HONOURARY BOARD MEMBER 

Antoinette Ciccarelli 

Resources for 

our community 

The Resource Centre, 

located in the Fidani Wing, 

Villa Colombo, is open to 

the public. Visit us to: 

• 

Get a library card to borrow 

Italian magazines, videos 

and books on aging and 

senior care 

• Learn about different 

programs and services 

available for your aging 

loved one 

• Surf the web on one of four 

shared computers 

• Volunteer your time to help 

us run the centre 

Hours of operation: 

Mon., Wed., Thur. & Sat: 

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Tues. and Fri.: 

2 p.m. to 6 p.m. 

For more information, please 

call 416-789-2113 ext. 2234. 


Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery 

In my own words: Jeff Jackson – Italian Views 

My first trip to Italy was in the spring 1984. I carried a 

sketchbook and because I was traveling alone, I spent most of 

my time documenting what I saw. I found the Italain 

architecture so 

unusual, that as first it 

was difficult to record 

what was before me. 

The only way I was 

able to sketch was if I 

looked at my subject 

matter and drew 

without looking at my 

page. I would fee my 

way through my 

drawings. What I 

discovered when I 

analyzed my sketches 

was that I had 

developed a kind of 

short-hand notation of 

buildings and details. I 

later deciphered sketches to create final paintings. 

I have been back to Italy several times using this technique 

to record my subject matter. I have found that over the years, by 

revisiting Italy, it has become more familiar, like the process of 

learning a foreign language. 

Villa Charities Newsletter x 8 

The works in this series, Italian Views, is different from 

Italian regions that I travelled to last summer. There is a 

building in Pergo that has lost layers of stucco, becoming almost 

an abstract 

composition. Another 

painting is of a tower 

framed by palms 

sketched from a boat 

on the way to Amalfi. 

A garden shed in a 

nun’s residence is 

surrounded by exotic 

trees is a composition 

that I sketched from a 

roof top terrace in 

Rome. 

visual poems are of a romantic nature. 

Jeff Jackson 

Tony Bianco – Landscapes of Canada 

A large collection 

of artist Tony Bianco’s 

landscape paintings 

will be on display at 

the Carrier Gallery this 

Fall. 

The show will be a 

comprehensive 

“portrait” of Canada’s 

most spectacular 

places, as visited by 

Tony during a seven 

month cross country 

trip he took with his 

family in 2000. 

Essentially, visitors will 

be able to walk 

through the gallery as 

if they were walking 

across Canada. In 

addition to the 

artwork, journal entries 

and short stories will be part of the exhibit, highlighting the 

This series, Italian 

Views, is made up of 

work of poetic 

glimpses of Italy. These 

Italian Views by Jeff Jackson runs to August 24, 2009 in the 

Lower Gallery. 

people and character of 

the country. 

Tony has been a 

professional artist for 

over 20 years and has 

exhibited his work at 

galleries in Toronto, 

Calgary, Quebec and as 

far away as Japan. In 

2000 and 2006, Tony 

was commissioned by 

the Royal Canadian 

Mint to design those 

years’ special edition $2 

coin, both of which are 

still in circulation. 

Tony is primarily an oil 

painter and much of 

his work is done on 

location. 

Tony Bianco – 

Landscapes of Canada 

runs from October 1 to 29, 2009 at the Carrier Art Gallery.

Marie Jeanne Leccisi 

A unique exhibit is currently on 

display at the Carrier Art Gallery. Marie 

Leccisi studied in Rome and Montreal, 

under the direction of A.Lismer of the 

Group of Seven, and developed her own 

impressionist style. 

“My subjects, faces, figures and 

landscapes are treated in an intuitive and 

spontaneous way,” states the artist. “I feel 

my multicultural background is evident in 

my oil and pastel paintings.” 

Artwork is on display to August 24, 2009 

on Reception Wall A – Columbus Centre lobby. 


Upcoming 

Exhibits 

at the 

Carrier 

August 2009 

Jeff Jackson 

Italian Architecture Exhibit 

Lower Gallery/Reception Wall B 

Date: June 11 to August 24, 2009 

Marie Jeanne Leccisi 

Reception Wall A 

July 3 to August 24, 2009 

September 2009 

Nigerian 

High Commission Exhibit 

Upper Gallery 

August 31 to September 28, 2009 

Tom McNeely - Watercolour 

Lower Gallery 

August 31 to September 28, 2009 

Zsuzsu Bucsanyi 

Reception Walls A and B 

September 1 to September 30, 2009 

October 2009 

Tony Bianco - Landscapes 

Entire Carrier Gallery 

October 1 to October 29, 2009 

Dennis Hunkler - Photography 

Reception Wall A 

October 2 to October 30, 2009 

For more information on upcoming 

or past exhibits or to purchase any 

works, please contact Rosa Graci, 

Carrier Gallery, 416-789-7011 ext. 

300 rgraci@villacharities.com. 



Add some punch to your 

fitness curriculum! 

New to Columbus Centre athletics, learn 

Olympic-style boxing with certified boxing 

coach Enrico Mancini. Non-contact and 

competitive programs are available for 

women, men, children of all ages and fitness 

levels. 

Aspire towards the lean 

muscularity and athleticism of 

the elite boxer and discover 

why boxing is referred to as 

“the sweet science!” 

Learn the skills of a great 

sport and a proven method of 

self-defence 

Coach Erico Mancini is an aficionado of 

Olympic Style boxing with 30 years of 

experience in the sport (including work as a 

provincial and national team coach) and is 

currently completing both his NCCP Levels 4 

& 5 (the highest formal levels of qualification 

and recognition in coaching). He is also 

certified in Kick-boxing and Kung-Fu. 

Carolina Morrace 

visits Columbus Centre 

Carolina Morrace, centre, new head coach of the National Women’s Soccer team is welcomed to Columbus Centre by Ugo 

Di Federico, left, and Pal Di Iulio, right. The coach and prominent members of Toronto’s sports community enjoyed lunch in 

Ristorante Boccaccio on March 25, 2009. 


Participants in Coach Mancini’s boxing 

program will learn proper methods of 

punching, footwork, defence, combinations, 

setups, feints and much more. 

The biomechanical science 

underpinning both the 

conditioning and technical 

elements of Coach Mancini’s 

program sharply distinguishes 

it from the typical Box-exercise 

class, which only mimics 

boxing movements, often 

teaching students a poor 

technique that lends itself to 

injury. Whether in his noncontact 

or competitive program, Erico’s 

students will learn to box. 

Warm-up and aerobic components, 

muscular conditioning and core training, as 

well as technical instruction in each class 

For more information, contact Gabriella 

Lalli at 416-789-7011 ext. 229. 

Beach Soccer 

The opening Beach Soccer 

Tournament was held at Columbus Centre 

on July 4, 2009. Over 30 players 

participated in this new high action, fun 

sport which is now easily accessible at the 

Centre. For more info please contact Jan 

Sebek at 416-789-7011 ext. 214 or 

sebek@villacharities.com. 

Upcoming Events at 

Celebrate summer with 

these great outdoor 

cultural events: 

Festa di San Vincenzo 

August 10, 2009 

Festa di San Rocco 

August 17, 2009 

Archbishop Collins 

to celebrate Mass in 

Villa Colombo gardens 

August 23, 2009 

Outdoor Concert 

September 18, 2009

COLUMBUS CENTRE OF TORONTO 


PAST CHAIR 


CHAIR 

Nick Sgro 


Robert D. Martella 


Karen Manarin 

TREASURER 

Stephen Pasquale 

SECRETARY 

Nick Ametrano 

GOVERNORS 

Joseph Barbieri 

Anthony Barbosa 

John Bozzo 

Ester Bucci 

Marianne Corigliano-Franco 

Armando Cristinziano 

Liana Flabiano 

Filomena Frisina 

Tony Genco 

Anna Iafrate 

Lenny Lombardi 

Mario Longo 

Susanna Ranalli-DeSantis 

Teresa Santoro 

Jason Sordi 

PRESIDENT & CEO 

Pal Di Iulio 

ADMINISTRATOR 

Ugo Di Federico 

The Columbus Centre Board is 

also responsible for the 


RISTORANTE 

BOCCACCIO 

2009 THEME NIGHTS 

The tour of Italy 

continues as 

Ristorante Boccaccio 

plans another series 

of authentic 

regional dinner tours. 

The fixed price menu 

includes regional wines: 

PUGLIA 

SEPTEMBER 18, 2009 

CALABRIA 

OCTOBER 16, 2009 

SELVAGGINA 

NOVEMBER 20, 2009 

For more information or 

to make reservations, please call 

(416) 789-5555 

Columbus Centre staff honoured 


From left to right, Toronto Fire Chief William Stewart poses with Columbus Centre athletics staff Wendy Wright (former staff member), Gabriella 

Lalli, Kosta Tzigas and Toronto city councilor Janet Davis at a special ceremony held on May 14, 2009 by Toronto Fire Services to honour citizens 

of Toronto who showed bravery and heroism over the past year. Gabriella, Wendy and Kosta saved the life of Columbus Centre member Gregorio 

Capano last spring after he collapsed on the Centre’s indoor track. 

One match can save a life 

Everyday someone, somewhere will need to find an 

unrelated stem cell match outside their immediate 

family. Robin Rocca, who lives in St. John, New 

Brunswick, is one of them. He was diagnosed with 

Leukemia (AML) just prior to Christmas in 2008. 

Robin, who is a vibrant 28 year-old, joins 696 other 

patients needing help now so they can survive. 

Robin, as well as other patients of Italian heritage, 

need individuals that are from within his own ethnic 

group for the best chance of finding a match. Those of 

Italian origin such as yourself or your family members 

are strongly urged to help. 

This past May, Robin visited Columbus Centre to 

help spread the word and encourage people to get 

tested and become a stem cell donor. 

For more information on how you can help Robin 

and hundreds of other patients in need of a donor, visit 

www.onematch.ca. 


Support Villa Charities 

Villa Charities needs your support. 

Each donation, whatever the amount, 

makes a real difference to the quality 

of life for the thousands we serve. 

Here are some ways to donate: 

In Honour 

A wonderful way to honour someone. 

Instead of the usual present for a 

birthday, why not give that special 

person a unique gift – the knowledge 

that someone’s life has been touched 

by a donation made in their honour. 

In Memory 

Families are comforted in their sorrow 

by gifts made in memory of their 

loved one. Acknowledgement cards 

are sent to inform them of your 

thoughtfulness. 

Appreciated Securities 

Gifts of publicly traded stocks enable 

donors to give the most for the least 

cost because the capital gains tax on 

the appreciation of gifted marketable 

securities is eliminated. Ask the 

Foundation for more information. 

Life Insurance Policies 

A donor may contribute a life 

insurance policy currently owned or 

purchase a new one as a charitable gift. 

Premiums are tax deductible, as is the 

cash surrender value of the policy. 

Bequests 

A bequest is a gift made by Will, 

specifically by directing a portion of 

an estate to Villa Charities. 

Tree of Life 

The Tree of Life stands tall in the lobby 

of Villa Colombo Toronto. It is a 

magnificent bronze and brass sculpture 

that allows individuals to pay tribute to 

beloved family members and friends. 

For a gift of $1,000, a leaf will be 

inscribed with the name of your 

choice. For a gift of $5,000, the name 

will be inscribed on a rock. 

Official tax receipts are issued for all 

donations over $20. 

Villa Charities Foundation 

Charitable Registration 

No. 89337-0767-RR0001 

For more information, please contact 

the Foundation Office at 

(416) 789-7011 ext. 292. 

CANADIAN PUBLICATION 

AGREEMENT # 40013194 

Issue: July 27, 2009 

UN D LLARO PUO FARE LA DIFFERENZA 

Your change will help Villa Charities change the lives of thousands of people each day! Make 

your dollar count by donating: 

A dollar a day A dollar a week A dollar a month 

OR I would like to pledge: $ ___________________ towards: 

Villa Charities Foundation, to be used where it’s needed most 

or A Villa Charities priority service area: Seniors Individuals with intellectual disabilities 

Culture, education, arts and recreation 

Cheque enclosed I prefer to use my credit card: Visa MC Amex 

Credit Card Number:_________________________________________ Expiry Date: ____ /____ /_____ 

Name on Card:__________________________________________ _______________________________ 

Signature:_________________________________________________________ Date: ____ /____ /_____ 

Please mail tax receipt to: Name: ______________________________________________________________ 

Address:_______________________________________________ City: ____________________ Prov: ______ 

Postal Code: ________________ Phone: (day) ________________________ (evening) ______________________ 

Email:____________________________________________________________________________________ 

Please make cheques payable to: Villa Charities Foundation 

901 Lawrence Avenue W., C101 

Toronto, ON M6A 1C3 T: 416-789-7011 F: 416-789-9387 

www.villacharities.com# 

Villa Charities Newsletter is a publication of Villa Charities Inc. © 2009 All rights reserved 

Editorial Committee 

Sam Ciccolini 


Paul Mior 

Nick Sgro 


Villa Charities Inc. President & CEO 

Palmacchio (Pal) Di Iulio 

Communications 

& Marketing Coordinator 

Lori D'Amore 

Design and Production 

Coordination 

Giancarlo Piccin 

Layout 

Brian Boyd 

Villa Charities Foundation 

Executive Director 

Laura Dal Bo 

Contributors: 

David Hingsburger 

www.villacharities.com 

#

ristorante boccaccio - Villa Charities

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