Alfredo De Gasperis | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1934-01-28)January 28, 1934 |
| Died | March 27, 2013(2013-03-27) (aged 79) |
| Known for | Founder ofCondrain |
| 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) |
Alfredo "Fred"De Gasperis (Italian:[alˈfreːdodeˈɡasperis]; January 28, 1934 – March 27, 2013) was anItalian-Canadian billionaire developer, and contractor. He was the founder ofCondrain, asewer andwatermain contractor based inConcord, Ontario, Canada, and Metrus Development, a development company based inVaughan, Ontario. In 2012, his net worth was estimated at $1.41 billion.[1]
De Gasperis was born inSora in theprovince of Frosinone,Lazio,Italy.[2] He was the son of Attilio and Rosina De Gasperis. At the age of 18, he immigrated toCanada on a Greek passenger boat, arriving inHalifax, Nova Scotia atPier 21 on May 3, 1952.[3]
In 1954, Alfredo De Gasperis, along with his brothers Angelo and Antonio, started his first business out of a bungalow inToronto, namedCondrain. 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 newCity of Mississauga, and Condrain was selected byCadillac 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 boughtVineland Estates Winery.[6]
In 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 theGreater Toronto Area.[8] Alfredo De Gasperis was inducted into theItalian 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 theToronto General andWestern 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]
Alfredo 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] SingerAlessia De Gasperis, also billed under the mononym Kai, is his granddaughter.