John Cutruzzola

Six months after election, he traveled to Canada, where he set up a small business and learned the English language. With little more than the skill of his hands and a sharp mind, he launched a successful career as a developer.

Beginning in the late '60s, John successfully endeavored to convince the people of Yorkville to change their area into the place of cultural renown within Toronto. In Brampton, John helped with the restoration of the old jailhouse and registry office on Wellington Street, transforming them into the Peel Heritage Complex]].

By 1984, he enrolled in Fine Arts at Sheridan College, where he developed his visual arts talent in oil painting, watercolour and pencil.

By 1986, he feared that the city would loose the opportunity to establish its own core and identity, resulting in he and a group of dedicated friends putting forth a vision of the new City Hall, with a design by architect Robert Posliff. The region had the Hydro Building[?] set for demolition in the early 90s, but he helped to save the building; he hopes for it to be used as an artistic facility.

John continues to work and support various cultural interests that benefit his community. He believes art and culture is the most important part of a healthy and prosperous community. He has supported many Brampton arts organizations, in the visual, musical and performing arts sectors; in 1991 he was honoured with the Canadian government's Lescarbot Award for the most contributions to the betterment of art and culture to their city; he is also the recipient of a Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada[?]. Despite all work he has done for his community, the Brampton Arts Council has failed to acknowledge him through repeated nominations for Arts Person of the Year in both 2002 and 2003.

In 1972, John and his family moved to Huttonville[?], four years later he formed Inzola Construction[?], which has since expanded to a branch office in Calgary. As the 1993 Brampton Business Person of the Year[?], he was nominated in 1999 as Canadian Entrepreneur of The Year[?].

He holds an annual exhibition of his works at the City Hall atrium each year, all proceeds going to the Peel Memorial Hospital[?]; the addition and renovation to this facility was carried out by The Inzola Group[?]. The City Hall and Cenotaph are among his other landmark Brampton projects. He and two associates made a contribution for the building of the YMCA facility in downtown Brampton.