Gaetano Gagliano CM (Italian: [ɡaeˈtaːno gaʎˈʎaːno]; August 24, 1917 – April 14, 2016) was an Italian-born Canadian entrepreneur who founded St. Joseph Communications and Salt + Light Television.

Gaetano Gagliano
Born(1917-08-24)August 24, 1917
DiedApril 14, 2016(2016-04-14) (aged 98)
NationalityItalian
CitizenshipCanadian
Known forFounder of St. Joseph Communications
SpouseGiuseppina Gagliano
Children10, including Tony Gagliano

Career and family

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Gagliano was born in Cattolica Eraclea, Sicily, on August 24, 1917,[1] and immigrated to Toronto, Ontario, Canada in 1956.[2] He first worked for the Canadian Pacific Railway before launching St. Joseph Communications which eventually became the largest private communications company in Canada.[2] He and his wife, Giuseppina, had 10 children, including Tony.[2] Gagliano died on April 14, 2016, at his home in Woodbridge, Ontario, at the age of 98.[3]

Honours

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He was named a Knight of the Order of St. Sylvester in 1992,[2] and a Member of the Order of Canada in 1998.[4] He has received honorary doctorates from Canadian Universities. In 2007, he was made a Commander (or Commendatore in Italian) of the Order of the Star of Solidarity from the Government of Italy.[5][6]

References

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  1. ^ "Gaetano Gagliano". Obits for Life. Archived from the original on 26 April 2016. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d Csillag, Ron (10 May 2016). "Gaetano Gagliano: Businessman was the patron saint of Canadian media". The Globe and Mail.
  3. ^ "To Gaetano Gagliano, the Church came before his business empire". catholicregister.org. 20 April 2016.
  4. ^ "Governor General of Canada - Honours / Gaetano Gagliano". February 4, 1998.[permanent dead link]
  5. ^ "Canada Gazette" (PDF).
  6. ^ "ONORIFICENZE" (in Italian).[permanent dead link]