American businessman and philanthropist
Joseph C. Canizaro (born 1937) is an American commercial real estate developer and philanthropist. Throughout the latter half of the 20th century, Canizaro developed several buildings that make up the New Orleans skyline. In 2005, Canizaro was described as the "single most influential business executive from New Orleans". Canizaro has made substantial philanthropic donations to Catholic churches, colleges and universities located in New Orleans and on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. He was former owner of the New Orleans Breakers football franchise.
Early years.
Joseph Canizaro is the son of Dr. Vito Canizaro, a Biloxi surgeon (died 1954), and Gilda Melone Canizaro (died 1990). He was the oldest of eight siblings and grew up in Biloxi. In 1961, Canizaro married Sue Ellen Mattina, and the couple moved to New Orleans in 1964.
Career.
New Orleans businessman and developer.
Notable New Orleans high-rise developments by Canizaro have included:
Sports.
In 1983, Canizaro purchased the USFL's New Orleans Breakers football team. Over 3 seasons, the team played under three names – Boston Breakers (1983), New Orleans Breakers (1984), and Portland Breakers (1985). Because of their inability to televise fall football games in competition with the NFL, USFL teams lost millions of dollars in revenue. Consequently, Canizaro folded his franchise in 1986.
Tradition community development.
In the late 1990s, Canizaro purchased from International Paper Company approximately of mostly forested land located in central Harrison County, Mississippi. On that land, Canizaro began developing Tradition – a planned community located approximately north of Biloxi, off Mississippi Highway 67. When fully developed, Tradition is projected to cover and contain 15,000 residential units. Tradition has been described as "Mississippi's first master planned community".
As of 2023, Canizaro's health corridor (medical city) developments in association with Tradition, have included:
Philanthropy.
To manage his philanthropic endeavors, Canizaro set up a nonprofit Donum Dei Foundation in New Orleans in 1993. Select donations in support of educational institutions and health care facilities have included:
References.
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