Joseph Broccolini

By: Beryl Wajsman,Editor
The Suburban

Barry Lorenzetti and Joseph Broccolini, two of the most engaged Montreal community leaders and whose efforts cross all ethnic lines, were each honoured for their work with the King Charles III Coronation Medal in a downtown ceremony last week. The medals were presented by independent Quebec Senator Tony Loffreda who had nominated each recipient personally.

Lorenzetti is the Founder and President of BFL Canada and established the Barry Lorenzetti Foundation that funds groundbreaking work on mental health issues. Broccolini is President of Broccolini Construction and National President of the Italian-Canadian Community Foundation.

The medals are given for “significant contributions to a community, region, province, territory or country.” Aside from mental health, Lorenzetti’s citation highlights his, “…support for and donations such causes as women entrepreneurship, healthy living, and healthcare.” Broccolini’s underscores his success as, “a generous philanthropist and community advocate, committed to making our communities stronger and to promoting the Italian culture in Canada, namely as the current President of the Italian-Canadian Community Foundation.”

Upon presenting the medals, Sen. Loffreda had moving words for each. To Lorenzetti he said, “Barry, your leadership and philanthropy remind us that true success lies in lifting others and building a legacy of compassion. Your resilience and innovation have not only shaped your industry but have inspired us all to aim higher and give back.Your unwavering dedication to creating a better future through service and innovation embodies the true spirit of this medal.” To Broccolini the Senator had these words, “Joseph, you’ve built more than a construction empire—you’ve built a legacy of excellence and community impact. As President of the Italian Foundation, your dedication to preserving culture and fostering unity reflects the very values this medal celebrates. Your leadership in business and culture has laid strong foundations—not just for buildings, but for generations to come.”

In their own remarks both men underscored the responsibility to give back. Lorenzetti reminisced about his youth in Ville Émard and how it was always instilled in him to look out for and help those in need. He said that even with the national growth of BFL, he has tried to make giving back part of the “corporate cultural DNA.” For his part Broccolini said, “Yes we have been successful. We have built some buildings and made some money. But with that always came the responsibility to help others and the ability to do that has been perhaps the most satisfying thing of all.” n