Club History
Our beloved Castelpizzuto Social Club had its very beginnings in the minds and hearts of Filippo Romano and Tony Vacca (di Adamo) where it was nurtured. Finally, these two founders shared their dream with the rest of the Castelpizzuto community residing in the Greater Toronto Area at a meeting late in 1979. With the support of the community, the dream became reality after the organization became legally incorporated as a non-profit on August 6, 1981. The Letters Patent, signed by 10 of our many supportive members, outlined the objects and goals of the corporation. Obviously, the most important function of the new entity was to promote social activities, cultural, educational, and charitable functions for the benefits of its members and the community at large.
In short order, an executive committee was formed at a meeting of founding members and
a preliminary constitution was drawn up in both English and Italian. Filippo was elected as the Club’s first president and along with Tony as vice president. Executive meetings were held principally at the home of Filippo Romano and of the various committee members. At often lengthy and raucous meetings, the committee moved quickly to work for and engage members in achieving the goals set forth in the Letters Patent. Social and cultural events and committees came fast and furious. Of course, not having a clubhouse meant that events and meetings were held in numerous venues spread across the north-central Toronto. A women’s committee was formed along with a youth committee to oversee the needs of all our members young and old. Our Valentine dances were very popular and were soon followed by Mothers’ Day parties, annual picnic bashes, Christmas parties and so on.
Uppermost in the minds of Filippo and Tony was the need to bring the community together under one roof and hence began the push to buy an industrial unit and build a true clubhouse for the members. Two adjoining industrial units 10 & 11 were purchased at 91 Fernstaff Court in Concord in April of 1985. Members were invited to attend a viewing several months later in starkly bare surroundings. Members were both excited and very emotional. Filippo reached out to the members for help and soon pledges were made by many, and loans and mortgages offered by more able members. With the financial backing of the community and its many skilled volunteer tradesmen, the Clubhouse soon became a reality in the fall of 1986 when members gathered once again. There was still much to be done but the Club was well on its way. On Saturday, January 31, 1987, members, and City of Vaughan dignitaries were invited to attend the official opening of the Castelpizzuto Social Club.
