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Joseph C. Canizaro

Joseph C. Canizaro (1937 – June 20, 2025) was 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".[5] Canizaro made substantial philanthropic donations to Catholic churches, colleges and universities located in New Orleans and on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. He was the former owner of the New Orleans Breakers football franchise.

Early years

Joseph Canizaro was the son of Dr. Vito Canizaro, a Biloxi surgeon (died 1954), and Gilda Melone Canizaro (died 1990).[4][6] He was the oldest of eight siblings and grew up in Biloxi.[4][5] He graduated from Notre Dame High School in Biloxi; although he attended several colleges, he did not receive a degree.[7] In 1961, Canizaro married Sue Ellen Mattina, and the couple moved to New Orleans in 1964.[4][8]

Career

New Orleans businessman and developer

Notable New Orleans high-rise developments by Canizaro have included:

  • The 22-story Lykes Center completed in 1966, which became the Loews Hotel.[8]
  • Canal Place, completed in 1979.[9]
  • Texaco Center, completed in 1983.[10]
  • Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza, completed in 1984.
  • LL&E Tower, completed in 1987.[11] The LL&E Tower later became the First Bank and Trust Tower when, in 1991, Canizaro founded First Bank and Trust of New Orleans, which was housed in the tower.[3]

Sports

In 1983, Canizaro purchased the USFL's New Orleans Breakers football team.[4] 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.[12][13] Consequently, Canizaro folded his franchise in 1986.[13]

Tradition community development

In the late 1990s, Canizaro purchased from International Paper Company approximately 4900 acre of mostly forested land located in central Harrison County, Mississippi.[14] On that land, Canizaro began developing Tradition – a planned community located approximately 17 mi north of Biloxi, off Mississippi Highway 67. When fully developed, Tradition is projected to cover 4900 acre and contain 15,000 residential units.[15] Tradition has been described as "Mississippi's first master planned community".[14]

As of 2023, Canizaro's health corridor (medical city) developments in association with Tradition, have included:

  • William Carey University Tradition campus – anchor for "Tradition Medical City", opened in 2009.[16][17]
  • School of Pharmacy at William Carey University Tradition campus, opened in 2018.[18]
  • Bryant Center School of Nursing & Simulation Lab – Opened in 2018 as part of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.[19]
  • The National Diabetes and Obesity Research Institute – Established in 2015 in association with the Cleveland Clinic, local and regional health facilities, educational institutions, and governmental agencies.[20]
  • Vito J. Canizaro Mississippi Veterans Home – Groundbreaking for the $64 million 100-bed facility was held in 2019.[21][22] Ribbon cutting for the completed facility took place on April 11, 2025.[23]

Public service

  • Trustee and past Chairman of the Urban Land Institute[24]
  • Member of Tulane University President's Council[1]
  • Founder of the Committee for a Better New Orleans[1]
  • Advisory Committee on Real Estate Development at Harvard University Graduate School of Design[6]
  • On the Board of Ave Maria University in Naples, Florida as Trustee Emeritus[1]
  • Member of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC) Foundation Board[25]

Philanthropy

To manage his philanthropic endeavors, Canizaro set up a nonprofit Donum Dei Foundation in New Orleans in 1993.[26][27] Select donations in support of educational institutions and health care facilities have included:

  • Canizaro Center for Catholic Studies at Loyola University New Orleans.[28][2]
  • Joseph Canizaro and James Livingston Center for Environmental Informatics at the University of New Orleans.[2]
  • Benefactor to Neuroscience Center of Excellence LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans.[29]
  • Donated property on which the MGCCC Bryant Center nursing facility was constructed in the Tradition community.[25]
  • Established endowed scholarships available to students at MGCCC.[25]

Death

Canizaro died on June 20, 2025, at the age of 88.[30] He was interred in Metairie Cemetery.[7]

Honors and awards

  • Honorary Doctorate from Our Lady of Holy Cross College, New Orleans[1]
  • Recipient of the Golden Plate Award from the American Academy of Achievement (1980) and host of the 1982 Achievement Summit in New Orleans[31]
  • Mayor's Medal of Honor (1999), New Orleans[1]
  • Louisiana Italian-American Sports Hall of Fame Award[1]
  • Honorary Doctorate from Notre Dame Seminary.[1]
  • Recipient of 2019 MGCCC Hornsby Award[25]

References

  1. 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award - Joseph Canizaro Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans, retrieved July 4, 2023^
  2. Marie Fazio. New Orleans businessman Joseph Canizaro donates $5 million to Loyola for Catholic studies center NOLA.com, June 14, 2022, retrieved July 4, 2023^
  3. First Bank & Trust/New Orleans LA - Company Profile and News Bloomberg.com, retrieved July 4, 2023^
  4. Physicians, Dentists and Nurses | Biloxi Historical Society biloxihistoricalsociety.org, retrieved July 4, 2023^
  5. Gary Rivlin. A Mogul Who Would Rebuild New Orleans September 29, 2005, retrieved July 4, 2023^
  6. 50 Years of Faith and Vision December 1, 2014, retrieved July 4, 2023^
  7. John Pope. Joe Canizaro, real estate developer who reshaped New Orleans skyline, dies NOLA.com, retrieved 2025-09-26^
  8. Diana Chandler. Driving Forces: Joseph Canizaro | New Orleans CityBusiness October 12, 2010, retrieved July 4, 2023^
  9. One Canal Place - The Skyscraper Center www.skyscrapercenter.com, retrieved July 4, 2023^
  10. Texaco Center - The Skyscraper Center www.skyscrapercenter.com, retrieved July 4, 2023^
  11. First Bank & Trust Tower - The Skyscraper Center www.skyscrapercenter.com, retrieved July 4, 2023^
  12. Mark Perry. The Complete History Of The USFL Of The 1980's usflnewshub.com, January 15, 2023, retrieved July 4, 2023^
  13. Portland Breakers retrieved July 4, 2023^
  14. Betting on Tradition | Builder Magazine retrieved July 4, 2023^
  15. About | Tradition traditionms.com, retrieved July 4, 2023^
  16. Tradition Campus | William Carey University www.wmcarey.edu, retrieved July 4, 2023^
  17. History of William Carey University | William Carey University www.wmcarey.edu, retrieved July 4, 2023^
  18. William Carey University School of Pharmacy Opens at Tradition Campus – MDEQ www.mdeq.ms.gov, retrieved July 4, 2023^
  19. Adam Bruns. Health Care: The 'Rebuilding Czar' Comes Home | Site Selection Magazine Site Selection, retrieved July 4, 2023^
  20. National Diabetes and Obesity Research Institute ndori.org, retrieved July 4, 2023^
  21. Frank Corder. Bids being received for construction of new VA Home on Mississippi Gulf Coast Magnolia Tribune, April 29, 2021, retrieved July 4, 2023^
  22. Opening of new Mississippi Veterans Home pushed back to 2024 wlox.com, October 13, 2022, retrieved July 4, 2023^
  23. Ribbon cutting for new Mississippi Veterans Home at Tradition WXXV News 25, 2025-04-11, retrieved 2025-09-26^
  24. Global Governing Trustees Urban Land Institute, retrieved July 4, 2023^
  25. Kathy McAdams. MGCCC Foundation recognizes Joseph C. Canizaro at annual scholarship gala Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, May 24, 2019, retrieved July 4, 2023^
  26. Maria Muro. Charity Heroes December 5, 2011, retrieved July 4, 2023^
  27. Andrea Suozzo, Ken Schwencke, Mike Tigas, Sisi Wei, Alec Glassford, Brandon Roberts. The Donum Dei Foundation - Nonprofit Explorer ProPublica, May 9, 2013, retrieved July 4, 2023^
  28. New Canizaro Center opens September 5, 2022, retrieved July 4, 2023^
  29. Neuroscience Center of Excellence LSU/HSC School of Medicine, New Orleans medschool.lsuhsc.edu, retrieved 2023-07-04^
  30. John Pope. Joe Canizaro, real estate developer who reshaped New Orleans skyline, dies NOLA.com, 2025-06-21, retrieved 2025-06-21^
  31. Golden Plate Awardees of the American Academy of Achievement achievement.org, American Academy of Achievement^