Hon. Jerahmiel S. Grafstein

(Senate chamber)

Honourable senators, this week we learned that Mr. Trudeau is climbing up the charts to become Canada's Greatest Canadian. Why? For the simple idea of Canada as a distinct society: a bilingual and multicultural society. This week, we learned as well of the sudden passing of Daniel Iannuzzi, the visionary dreamer and co-founder of Canada's, and the world's, first multilingual television station in Toronto, who tried to breathe life into Mr. Trudeau's idea.
Dan was also a founder of the Canadian Italian daily, Corriere Canadese, which he started in 1954 at the tender age of 20. Over the years he acquired and published a number of other third language newspapers.
Dan shared the intellectual direction of his enterprises with his wife, Elena Caprile, and the business direction with his long-time partner and brother, Paul.
Dan, a Montreal-born Canadian of Italian descent, dedicated his life and work to eradicating systemic discrimination in our society against third languages and third language groups, especially those of Italian descent.
If Dan had problems, it should be said that his heart was larger than his body. He could not bring himself to say no to a writer, producer or artist with a problem and, in his business dealings, he was the eternal optimist. He was probably too optimistic.
For years he fought for a national multilingual, multicultural television service across Canada. He could not persuade the regulators to make it a part of the basic service. As I said, Dan wanted to breathe life into the idea of a bilingual, multicultural Canada.
I first met Dan over 30 years ago. I was a co-founder of CityTV that changed television to reflect the face and voices of the streets of Toronto. We enlisted Dan as the producer of our weekend segment on multilingual programming.
This segment quickly outgrew its allocated weekend time slot, so Dan and I set off to co-found the first full-fledged multilingual television service, the first fully independent multilingual television service broadcast in over 20 languages weekly in Toronto, the very first of its kind in the world.
Beneath the radar of these new programming services were fierce battles with regulators, media buyers, advertisers and competitive broadcasters who first opposed, then sought to augment, these services by carrying their own third language service.
Dan has suddenly left us. Who will take up the leadership to fight for the equality of multiculturalism and third language treatment on the public airwaves?
Our deep condolences to his wife Elena, his family and brother Paul, who stood and fought these battles beside him with grace and ferocity.
Dan was a pioneer. Perhaps he dreamed too greatly, but those dreams came to be shared by millions of Canadians from coast to coast to coast.


Franco Gaspari
COMITES di Toronto

On behalf of the Comites of Toronto and myself, I wish to express our deepest condolences for the passing of Dan Iannuzzi, a former member of this Comites, media pioneer, prominent personality and constant reference for our community.
His contribution to the development of the Italian community in our adoptive country is in front of everybody's eyes. His vision in founding the first multicultural TV station and his constant commitment to bringing a little Italy into our homes every day consign him to legend.
Our loss is great, but he leaves behind his accomplishments, a legacy we can rightly be grateful for and proud of.


Ubaldo e Julius Larobina
Italian Media Corporation

We just learned of Dan's death. The news saddened us profoundly. What can we say?
From faraway Australia, we feel close to you in this sorrowful circumstance, and we wish to send our heartfelt condolences to the Iannuzzi family and the staff of Corriere Canadese.
Our colleagues of Il Globo, La Fiamma, and Rete Italia join us in mourning.


Judy Sgro
Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Canada

As Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Canada, I extend my heartfelt condolences to you and your staff, and the Iannuzzi family during this time of grief.
Dan was an outstanding citizen. A strong believer in multiculturalism, his conviction, energy and commitment played a significant part in shaping the multicultural society we live in today. Through his media outlets, immigrants from all over the world were given equal respect and dignity, provided a venue for connecting to life in Canada and contributing to shape this country. Despite his passing, his legacy will live on and continue.
He will be missed by many.


Hon. Consiglio Di Nino (Senate chamber)
Honourable senators, I too would like to add a few words in paying homage to my friend, Dan Iannuzzi.
This past weekend, Canada lost a great son. Dan Iannuzzi, a highly respected broadcaster, publisher, and community activist passed away while on a visit to Italy.
Dan, a third generation Canadian of Italian background, was a friend of mine for more than 40 years. He was a visionary and he was a trail blazer. He was a man who became the standard to copy in third language media, and many did. He led the way for fair and equal treatment of new Canadians. While he was proud of his ancestry, he was one of the fiercest and most passionate Canadians I have ever met.
Dan was a determined man who would not easily be derailed in his quest for justice and equality. Those who stood in his way eventually came to admire and support him. Among the many awards and recognitions bestowed upon him, he was a recipient of the Order of Canada, whose insignia he always wore with great pride.
Honourable senators, please join with me in expressing to Elena and Paul and the rest of his family our sympathy and condolences and to you, Dan, grazie, thank you for all you did for Canadians.


FILEF Canada

Mrs. Caprile: profoundly touched by the loss that struck you personally, the newspaper you manage and your staff, the members of FILEF - Federazione Italiana Lavoratori Emigrati e Famiglie - of Canada wish to express their most sincere sorrow.
For decades we looked at Dan Iannuzzi with respect and admiration for his achievements, way before the times. When here, in Canada, we risked losing any contact with our land of origin for lack of means, the thread did not break thanks to men like Dan.
For this, in particular, our families and we are grateful to him.
Thanks, Dan!


Luigi and Carmela Brusatin

I first met Dan Iannuzzi 50 years ago, when I became a collaborator of Corriere Canadese. I learned a lot from Dan, whose smile and kindness I'll always remember. The last time I met him, after talking for a few minutes, he said goodbye and invited me to come see him upon his return from Rome. That was in August. "Come see me when I'm back!" The painful reality is hard to accept.
I'll miss you, we'll all miss you, Dan!
Our most heartfelt and affectionate condolences to Mrs. Elena Caprile, the Iannuzzi family and the staff of Corriere Canadese.

Tony Squadrilla
Grumo Appula
Brotherhood Association

There are no words able to convey our sorrow for losing a man who worked hard, through thick and thin, for the Italian-Canadian community. The name of Dan Iannuzzi will be remembered for a long time. The Grumo Appula community and I send our most heartfelt condolences.

Giuseppe Famà
Scilla Club Toronto

Daniel Iannuzzi was an extremely intelligent publisher. His personality impressed all those who met him. He had great personal talent and was a friend of all as well as a pillar of the Italian community. On behalf of our club members I express our sincere condolences to the family, to his wife Elena Caprile, his son Michael, and the staff of Corriere Canadese.

Vittorio Sottile
Rogliano Social Club

The Rogliano Social Club and its committee send their most heartfelt condolences to the Iannuzzi family and to the staff of Corriere Canadese.

Giuseppe Bonavista
Santonofrese Club

The community of S. Onofrio in Toronto presents its most heartfelt condolences to Dan Iannuzzi's family for the premature death of he who always kept us close to our country of origin.

Sergio La Verghetta
ICE Montreal

I was saddened by the news of Daniel Iannuzzi's death.
I met him only on a few occasions, but every time I felt his great and passionate participation in anything that concerned Italy and its presence in Canada, be it our very active community or the beautiful things made in Italy and presented here.
On behalf of our staff and myself, I express our most heartfelt condolences to his family.

M.S.P. Social Cultural Club

We always admired you for your great commitment to the Italian community. We'll miss you.

Francesco Di Candia
Associazione Nazionale
Finanzieri d'Italia

On behalf of all members of our Section and myself, I wish to express our deepest sorrow and most sincere regret for the death of a man of great sensitivity and professionalism, who played with balance and competence his role as a journalist and a businessman, never forgetting his Italian origins, which he was strongly attached to.
Our Association shares in this loss that struck the Italian community in Canada and the many friends in Italy, grateful to Mr. Iannuzzi for his effective and constant work in favour of the Italian and Canadian communities.
His death saddens all of us, and particularly those who, like me, could witness his undisputable talent and human qualities firsthand.

Alberto Milan

On behalf of my family and myself, I send our most heartfelt condolences for the sudden demise of dear Dan.

Basilicata Cultural Society of Canada

The Steering Committee of the Basilicata Cultural Society of Canada and the whole community express their most heartfelt condolences and join in the sorrow that struck the Iannuzzi family and the staff of Corriere Canadese for the death of their beloved Dan Iannuzzi.
He was one of the pioneers of the Italian community, and with his entrepreneurial and human spirit he made us proud of being Italian.
Through the years, Corriere Canadese gave us a chance to read Il Tempo, Guerin Sportivo, and now La Repubblica, which brought Italy closer to us.
Although he will no more be among us in person, the memory of this great man who gave honour and pride to the Italian community will live forever in our mind.

Giovanni Scarola
Journalist

Returning to Toronto this morning, I read the terrible news, which left me speechless. Frankly, I can't imagine the media, not to mention our community, without Dan. Alas, we have the habit of regarding such figures as immortal; although, we are not entirely wrong in that, since what Dan accomplished remains anyway, and with solid foundations.
This precursor of multiculturalism, farsighted and eclectic, yet profoundly human, remains irreplaceable.
I offer my condolences and sincere sorrow for his demise, but most of all I offer my gratitude for all he did.

Giuseppe Mancini
Team Italia

I wish to express to the Iannuzzi family and the extended family of Corriere Canadese my most heartfelt personal condolences for the passing of Dan, a man who will be missed for a long, long time.
Dan was much more than the founding of Corriere revealed. His many editorial initiatives gave an enormous contribution to the Italian community as well as to the other Canadian ethnic groups, linking them into a whole community. Dan made politics in a deeper and more concrete way than many politicians: through his media he sent out social messages, an incitement to being Canadians all, united in diversity. His pride to be an Italian in Canada was of inspiration for many Canadians of the most diverse origins.
Dan was also a member of Team Italia. I remember him at our meetings, and in particular to the one we held in May. "Let's hold our next meeting," he said, "at Corriere, on the occasion of our 50th anniversary, in June." That was quite a party, for him and for us. For those who, like me, work in the world of media, both printed and broadcast, Dan was and will remain a reference. For those who, like me, had the luck of knowing him personally, he's a shining example of professionalism.

Orlando Buonastella
Injured Workers' Consultant Legal Clinic

Heartfelt condolences on behalf of injured workers and myself for the loss of Dan Iannuzzi. Dan and Corriere Canadese have always been very close to injured workers over all these years. This is, we believe, a very important legacy to keep.
Angelo Persichilli rightly wrote that Iannuzzi managed to reconcile apparently irreconcilable characteristics. We think that the ability to appreciate and advocate the reasons of injured workers was part of this characteristic.
Despite being himself a successful entrepreneur, he always had attention and respect for those who were less successful, despite constructing this country: the injured workers.
An important legacy of Iannuzzi, we think, will be the ability to face the future without forgetting our community's humble beginnings in Canada, and to keep ideals of social justice despite one's position. This legacy is very relevant for all of us.
With deeply felt solidarity.

"L'Altra Italia" Cultural Association

The Steering Committee and the members of "L'Altra Italia" Cultural Association join in the mourning of everybody lamenting the death of Daniel Andrea Iannuzzi. He was a pioneer and a guide also for those who, like us, came to Canada in recent times, finding a smoother ride on the path to integration and tolerance.
His baton will be carried forward by dozens of hands, to be delivered to future generations.

Giorgio Mammmoliti
Toronto City Councillor

We've lost a true pioneer of the Italian community. Dan Iannuzzi dedicated his whole life and energy to the growth of multiculturalism in Canada.
He personified the true spirit of multiculturalism, managing to unite many communities in this. We shall sorely miss Dan.

Tony Dionisio
Universal Workers' Union LIUNA, Local 183

On behalf of the 30,000 members of our local, of my collaborators, and myself, I wish to express our most heartfelt condolences to Daniel Iannuzzi's family and friends.
With his constant efforts to promote the rights of minorities, Mr. Iannuzzi became a champion of all the ethnic communities of our city, and an example for all Canadians on how to really embrace the project of multiculturalism.
As a reference and voice for Toronto's ethnic communities, Mr. Iannuzzi's newspapers and TV stations played an important role in the life of every member of Local 183; like Mr. Iannuzzi, our member are as strongly Canadian while proudly cherishing their own cultural heritage.
Mr. Iannuzzi strongly supported the struggle of immigrant workers to improve working conditions in the early years of construction industry unions, in the '60s and '70s, and Toronto workers will be eternally grateful for that.
Our community has lost a leader who will be sorely missed.

Sergio Tagliavini and Giovanna Tozzi
Lo Specchio

It is hard to find the right words in expressing our condolences for the loss of someone who was, also for us, an important reference.
Dan Iannuzzi is a piece of history, including our own.
Even harder it is to try and find words for comforting those who suffered such a severe loss. Elena, we are close to you.

Alfio Foti
Markham Italian-Canadian Association

With great sympathy, on behalf of the Markham Italian-Canadian Association and of myself, I extend to the Iannuzzi family and to the staff of Corriere Canadese my most heartfelt condolences.
With Dan Iannuzzi, we lose 50 years of history of the Italian-Canadian community.

Rudy Marcolini
Montreal

When I met him, we were close in age, but nonetheless he became my first mentor. For me, a tenderfoot just arrived from Italy, Dan was also my first contact with Canada's life and workplace.
He brought me, I can recall it all as if it were yesterday, to see the press room, where his dad was operating the machine that printed the big sheets of Corriere. Then we went to the editorial offices, meeting with editor-in-chief Arturo Scotti who grilled me.
I was worried, but Dan told me, "Don't worry, you'll see: next week you'll begin working with us." So it was.
Those were heroic years, we worked with great passion and over a few years the newspaper had already become the authoritative voice of the Italian community.
After a training period, Dan sent me to Quebec, to manage Corriere del Québec, a weekly founded by the Iannuzzis in Montreal, before moving to Toronto.
We remained friends ever since. He was more reserved, I was more exuberant. We stayed in touch even when I left. Every week he sent me Corriere issues even in Ethiopia, Africa, where I had moved.
This was how attached he was to 'his' newspaper: he wanted people to read it, follow it.
After returning to Canada in the '90s, I admired the growth and popularity of this man who had always believed in the importance of communications, under any form: dailies, TV, radio, magazines, and so on.
This was Dan Iannuzzi, dedicated to his ideas, honest with friends, to the last.
Goodbye Dan. I'll come from Montreal to follow your funeral in Toronto.

Dom Serafini
VideoAge - New York

I would like to join the number of readers who expressed their condolences to the editors and staff of Corriere Canadese for the loss of their publisher Dan Iannuzzi.
I never met Iannuzzi in person, but as a member of international TV industry I appreciated his work with CityTV, and as an Italian living abroad I appreciated his commitment for our community, first with Corriere Canadese and then with multilingual TV.
Finally, as an occasional collaborator of Corriere Canadese, I witnessed his editorial independence and great spirit of innovation.

Michele Santoro
Presenza Lucana Association

The cultural and social association Presenza Lucana of Taranto, which I preside, sends its most heartfelt condolences to his family and collaborators who had in him an institutional and fatherly figure.

Tony Silipo
Federazione Calabresi dell'Ontario

Even several days after his passing, it is hard to find the right words for describing Dan Iannuzzi's great contribution to our community.
We duly remember him for giving us, for many years through Channel 47 and for many more through Corriere Canadese, two strong voices asserting our presence in this country. With these tools, he also showed us a mirror, occasionally displaying praiseworthy and not-so-praiseworthy traits.
I also remember his, and Elena's, genuine interest for our children's problems in school. I remember his sincerity in perceiving the strength and problems of our Canadian and Italian identity, a sincerity that led him in his many initiatives. I'm glad in playing a tiny role in his great project for Tandem. And I will remember his wise advice on our efforts to bring our Calabrese community together.
Yes, Dan was a giant and a pioneer of the media and of multiculturalism. This is a lot in itself, and he got recognized for that. But he was a giant not just for what he managed to do, but also for how he left his mark, with the credibility of those who do good simply because it's the right thing to do.
Today and in the coming days we shall weep the loss of a great friend. Then the hardest part will come: keeping up the construction of our community without him, trying to remember how he would do it.
To Elena and to his whole family, with great affection, we offer our most heartfelt condolences and many thanks. Our condolences also to the staff of Corriere Canadese.

Basilio Giordano
Publisher, Montreal

I learned with astonishment, while in Italy for personal reasons, of the untimely demise of dear Dan. Maybe I will sound rhetorical, but I bow to the memory of this pioneer of Italian press in Canada. This is a huge loss! The editors of Cittadino Canadese and I extend our most heartfelt condolences.

Gennaro Stammati
ex CEO BCI Bank

I was saddened to learn of the passing of my dear friend Dan Iannuzzi. Even though I've been away from Canada since 1999, I always followed Canadian events (as well as those of the large and beautiful Italian community) through the pages of Corriere Canadese. Now I read that its founder and pillar of our community has left us. I wish to extend to his family, his friends and our community my condolences and join them all in remembering him.

Michele Colacci
Association of St. Michael the Archangel

All of us, officials of the Association of St. Michael the Archangel of Lake Muskoka, join our President in expressing our most heartfelt condolences to his wife Mrs. Elena Caprile and to his family for the loss of dear Dan Iannuzzi. We extend our condolences to the staff of Corriere Canadese.
May St. Michael the Archangel raise him to the Lord, and may his soul be rewarded for all the work he did in favour of all communities during his dignified earthly path.

Vincenzo Ierulli
Alto Molise Association of St. Anthony

Heartfelt condolences to the Iannuzzi family and the management of Corriere Canadese for the unexpected passing of dear Dan Iannuzzi.

Emilio Mascia
Founder of Telelatino

For over 40 years I had the pleasure and privilege of walking with Dan along an important life path. At times we were valid allies, at times honest competitors, but always friends, with mutual respect and esteem.
Dan was well aware of the role and function of the media, particularly Italian-Canadian media.
Dan gave a fundamental contribution to the growth and diffusion of radio, TV and printed media within the Italian-Canadian community.
His earthly life was cut short, but he left behind a deep mark in the story of our community.

Nivo Angelone
Nick Simone
ICCT

The Italian Chamber of Commerce of Toronto was saddened to learn of Dan Iannuzzi's passing, and our members, directors and staff share in the sorrow of his family.
With Dan Iannuzzi, we lose a man who had followed with passion and love and told with participation the story of the arrival, suffering and great success of our community.
Through Corriere Canadese and his TV station, Iannuzzi portrayed a picture that will stand unequalled in the epic story of the Italian community.
A great leader has died, possibly the last great leader of a community that took gigantic steps and nowadays is well represented at all levels of social life.
With Dan Iannuzzi, we lose the ideas, vision, and dreams of a Renaissance man who managed to marry the needs of culture with those of business.
Our community and the whole Canada will forever mourn him.

Angelo Locilento
Vin Bon/Cilento Wines

There are no words to express our sorrow for the death of a great man.
Dan was a pillar of our community, and he will be missed. My most heartfelt condolences to the Iannuzzi family.

Publication Date: 2004-12-05
Story Location: http://tandemnews.com/viewstory.php?storyid=4697