Alfredo "Fred" De Gasperis (Italian: [alˈfreːdo de ˈɡasperis]; January 28, 1934 – March 27, 2013) was an Italian-Canadian billionaire developer, and contractor. He was the founder of Condrain, a sewer and watermain contractor based in Concord, Ontario, Canada, and Metrus Development, a development company based in Vaughan, Ontario. In 2012, his net worth was estimated at $1.41 billion.[1]
Alfredo De Gasperis | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 28, 1934 |
| Died | March 27, 2013 (aged 79) |
| Known for | Founder of Condrain |
| Spouse | Teresa De Gasperis |
| Children | Jim De Gasperis Carla De Gasperis Fred Jr. De Gasperis |
| Parent(s) | Attilio De Gasperis Rosina De Gasperis |
| Relatives | Angelo De Gasperis (brother) Antonio De Gasperis (brother) |
Early life
editDe Gasperis was born in Sora in the province of Frosinone, Lazio, Italy.[2] He was the son of Attilio and Rosina De Gasperis. At the age of 18, he immigrated to Canada on a Greek passenger boat, arriving in Halifax, Nova Scotia at Pier 21 on May 3, 1952.[3]
Business career
editIn 1954, Alfredo De Gasperis, along with his brothers Angelo and Antonio, started his first business out of a bungalow in Toronto, named Condrain. During the 1960s, they worked on many projects installing water and sewer lines in the Niagara Region.[4] In 1972, Alfredo and his brothers founded Metrus Developments Inc., and Metrus Properties Limited. The 1970s brought the development of the community of Erin Mills in the new City of Mississauga, and Condrain was selected by Cadillac Developments Ltd. to service their subdivisions.[5] In 1983, Con-Drain construction became Condrain Company. Over the following decades, the companies founded by Alfredo continued to grow in size; his family-owned construction conglomerate, one of Canada's largest, employs 4,500 and grosses in the range of $1 billion a year.[4]
In 2004, Alfredo and his son Jim bought Vineland Estates Winery.[6]
Philanthropy
editIn 2009, Alfredo De Gasperis received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 29th annual Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD) awards, for his impact as a contractor, developer, builder, and philanthropist.[7] The BILD awards celebrate the best in design, construction, sales, and marketing in the building and development industry of the Greater Toronto Area.[8] Alfredo De Gasperis was inducted into the Italian Walk of Fame in 2011, which pays tribute to achievements of Italians.[2][9]
De Gasperis devoted much of his time to many different charities and organizations.[5] In 2004, Alfredo and his brothers Antonio and Angelo donated $7 million to the Toronto General and Western Hospital Foundation. The DeGasperis Conservatory was established in the Toronto General Hospital's Peter Munk Cardiac Centre.[10]
In the early 1970s, he was part of a group of Italian-Canadians who helped create an organization to assist seniors while preserving Italian culture and customs - North York's Villa Colombo. He also served as vice-chair of the Villa Charities Foundation board.[2][7]
Personal life
editAlfredo De Gasperis died on March 27, 2013, at the age of 79. He was married to Teresa DiCarlo. They have three children, Jim, Carla and Fred Jr. De Gasperis.[11][1][7] Singer Alessia De Gasperis, also billed under the mononym Kai, is his granddaughter.
References
edit- ^ a b "ConDrain's legendary founder De Gasperis dies at 79". yorkregion.com. 28 March 2013.
- ^ a b c [1], Toronto Council
- ^ [2], ConDrain and Beyond
- ^ a b http://www.macleans.ca/article.jsp?content=20050926_112711_112711[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b "Alfredo DeGasperis | Italian Walk of Fame". Archived from the original on 2013-05-17. Retrieved 2013-05-01.
- ^ "Fred DeGasperis and Jim DeGasperis: Vineland Estates Winery". Dolce Luxury Magazine. 28 March 2013.
- ^ a b c Ereskovich, Carlie (Summer 2009). "Alfredo De Gasperis Honored with Lifetime Achievement award". Toronto Builder. 6 (3): 18. Retrieved 1 May 2013.
- ^ "BILD GTA". Archived from the original on 17 January 2008. Retrieved 1 May 2013.
- ^ "INDUCTEES 2011". Italian Walk Of Fame.
- ^ "2003/2004 Annual Report" (PDF). The De Gasperis Family Takes Heart Research To The Next Level. Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 1 May 2013.
- ^ "Fred De Gasperis honoured for vision, philanthropy". yorkregion.com. 2 April 2013.