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Mr. Joe Persechini, Vice-Chairman - Provincial Appointee
Mr. Joe Persechini was first appointed to the Police Services Board by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario on April 21, 2004. On February 25, 2009, the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario reappointed Mr. Persechini as a member of the Board until April 20, 2010 and recently extended his appointment until such time as a new member is appointed. The Board elected him Vice-Chairman for a fourth time on January 27, 2010. Born in Italy, Mr. Persechini came to Canada in 1959. In 1975, he opened the Persechini Fitness Centre in Newmarket. Today, the well-known Persechini Fitness and Squash Complex is one of the largest privately-owned fitness centres in York Region. Mr. Persechini has been active in his community for 35 years. In 1976, he founded the Persechini 10 km Run/Walkathon which attracts thousands of participants annually and to date has raised $3,500,000 for the Easter Seal Society of Ontario. In 2008, he spearheaded the provincial Easter Seal Run/Walkathon that he also founded. In 2007-2006, Mr. Persechini chaired the Whipper Billy Watson Pool Campaign on behalf of the Southlake Regional Health Centre Foundation. Under Mr. Persechini’s leadership, the highly successful Fundraising Campaign raised 1.8 million dollars and the Whipper Billy Watson Pool is now fully operational. In recognition of his extensive community involvement, Mr. Persechini has received numerous awards including: Newmarket’s 125th Anniversary Award presented by the Lieutenant Governor (2005); the Community Volunteer Ambassador Award (2005); the Community Living Newmarket/Aurora District Excellence in Community Award (2005); the Easter Seal Society Individual Distinguished Service Award (2003); The Queen’s Jubilee Medal (2002); a street (2000) and park named in his honour (1993); Newmarket Citizen of the Year Award (1998); the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award (1999); and the Newmarket Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Award (1991). As a Member of the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists, Mr. Persechini has appeared in many movies, including My Big Fat Greek Wedding. |