Hamilton Gallery of Distinction announces 2012 inductees

Eight outstanding citizens have been inducted into Hamilton’s Gallery of Distinction.

The 2012 inductees include leaders from business, philanthropy, the arts and the community. Each has made a lasting contribution to Hamilton. They will be inducted at the 29^th annual gala dinner on November 7 at Michelangelo Events & Conference Centre.

The 2012 Hamilton Gallery of Distinction inductees are:

Teresa Cascioli

Born in Hamilton to Italian immigrants, Teresa Cascioli, who earned a degree from McMaster’s DeGroote School of Business in 1983, is a passionate entrepreneur and philanthropist. Named CEO in 1999, she led Lakeport Brewery from bankruptcy to Ontario’s number three brewery. Her philanthropic leadership enhances Hamilton’s quality of life. Her charitable foundation has made many transformative gifts including $1-million each to McMaster University and St. Joseph’s Healthcare. Her many national awards include the Canadian Venture Capital Association’s Entrepreneur of the Year and being named the first female Italo-Canadian Entrepreneur of the Year.

General Henry Duncan Graham (Harry) Crerar (posthumously)

Identified as “the most important Canadian solider in WWII”, Hamilton’s Harry Crerar worked in a Cannon Street factory prior to enlisting for service in WWI; escaping death at Ypres and helping secure Vimy Ridge. A quietly modest man, he was tasked with leading the greatest army Canada has known: the First Canadian Army of WWII. He commanded 500,000 allied troops and was cited by Dwight D. Eisenhower for exemplary valour. After his military service, he retired to Ottawa where he died in 1965.

Donald Mackenzie Green

A past Chair of McMaster Board of Governors, Don Green’s life is shaped by his community, his companies and his sport. Prior to joining Hamilton Clamp Company, Don sailed around the world at 18 writing a book about the adventure. Returning home, he transformed his family firm into Tridon Ltd., a global auto parts powerhouse. The company developed several firsts: the first non-metallic wiper blade and first electronic signal flasher. A member of the Order of Canada, chair of Innovation Ontario and renowned competitive sailor and skipper, he is currently Chairman/CEO of Greenfleet Limited.

Melvin M. Hawkrigg

An all-round athlete, youth advocate, business leader and civic booster, Mel arrived in Hamilton in 1949 to earn a degree at McMaster, taking time to excel in many sports including football. After a season with the Tiger-Cats he launched a stellar business career with senior roles at London Life and Trilon. The chair of Orlick Industries and the Hamilton Port Authority, he and his wife Marilyn are fixtures at McMaster sporting events. He served nine years as McMaster Chancellor and is a member of its Sports and Business Halls of Fame.

Thomas Reid (T.R.) MacDonald (posthumously)

Arriving at the Hamilton Art Gallery in 1947 to become its first full-time director, T.R. MacDonald found a modest 33-painting collection. Upon retirement 25 years later, he had built one of the country’s most important collections. Hailed as a “collecting genius” his enduring legacy continues to enrich thousands across the city. His own works hang in the National Gallery of Canada and Art Gallery of Ontario. A WWII war artist and member of the Royal Canadian Academy, MacDonald died in 1978.

Morris, Peter and Sam Mercanti

If Hamilton is having a special event, chances are the Mercantis are involved.  These genial hosts have welcomed presidents, prime ministers and renowned personalities, while profiling and giving back to their home town.

Their many entrepreneurial contributions are made through CARSTAR (Sam), one of Canada’s most successful franchisors;  Carmen’s (Peter), and Edge Hospitality (Morris),  destinations that have welcomed the world while at the same time helping thousands of Hamiltonians celebrate family milestones. Peter was named the 2010 Citizen of the Year, Sam a finalist in 2009 and the 2012 Italian Citizen of the Year, and Morris is a celebrated Juravinski Board Patron.  Both CARSTAR and Carmen’s have been recognized as best Chamber businesses and CARSTAR has been named one of Canada’s Best 50 managed companies.   They support dozens of organizations representing the best traits of our community: entrepreneurial, enthusiastic and engaged.

Tickets to the Nov. 7 gala dinner are available at:

Hamilton Chamber of Commerce

120 King Street West, Plaza Level, Hamilton, ON

905-522-1151 (ext. 100)

Fax: 905 522 1154

Cheques can be made payable to the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce.