Mario F. Ferri

Mario Ferri (Italian-Canadian: Mario Felice Ferri; born January 6, 1948) is a former City Councillor for Vaughan, Ontario, Canada.
Political Career
Ferri was first elected to City council as Ward 1 councillor in the 1997 Vaughan municipal election and he was re-elected to his council seat in 2000. Ferri was elected to Regional Council in 2003 and was re-elected to his regional council seat in 2006. Ferri was unsuccessfull in his bid for re-election in the 2010 municipal election. On March 27, 2011, Ferri was nominated by the Liberal Party to run for the Federal riding of Vaughan.
Ferri secured 87% of the popular vote in the 1997 election, followed by 90% of the popular vote in 2000. In 2003, Ferri received the most votes among all candidates for the position of Regional Councillor and was deemed Deputy Mayor.
Personal Life
Ferri was born in Pescosolido, Italy, to Fillipo and Maria Ferri, who worked as farmers. Seeking a better life, the Ferri Family immigrated to Canada on January 10, 1959. Aboard the Saturnia, the Ferri Family arrived at Pier 21 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Soon thereafter, the Ferri family moved to Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Ferri graduated from Neil McNeil High School in Toronto. He attended Centennial College and graduated with a Diploma in Recreation Leadership in 1970. Ferri married his high school sweetheart, Vickie Lamanna, in 1972. In 1974, Vickie gave birth to the couple's first child, Lisa Maria Giovanna. In 1977, Ferri welcomed his second child, Michael Anthony, and graduated from York University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. In 1983, Ferri's third child, Steven Christopher, was born and Ferri earned a Masters of Environmental Studies Degree from York University. From 1984 to 1989, Ferri was a visiting professor at York University in the faculty of Environmental Studies. Ferri moved to Vaughan in 1984 where he continues to live.
Career Outside of Politics
Ferri worked as an Executive Director of the East Scarborough Boys & Girls Club from 1973-1977. From 1977-2003 Ferri worked as the Executive Director of the West Scarborough Neighbourhood Community Centre.
Awards
* WNSCC Beacon Award (2006) - presented in recognition of excellence and innovation in local government
* The Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal (2002) - presented in recognition of significant contributions to fellow citizens, community and Canada
* Silver Keystone Award (2000) - presented in recognition of outstanding service to youth
* 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal (1992) - presented in recognition of significant contribution to compatriots, community and to Canada
* Corps D’Elite Ontario Regional Award (1989) - presented in recognition of outstanding contribution to the development of recreation in the province of Ontario
Volunteer Work
* Co-Founder and Past Chair - Maplefest Committee (1985 - 2010)
* Co-Founder and Past Chair - Vaughan Committee of Associations to Restore Environmental Safety (1988 - 1997)
* Founder and Chair- Valigia D’Oro Legacy Award (1999 - 2010)
* Founder and Honourary Chair - LaRocca Memorial Society (2001 - 2010)
* Honourary Chair - Run for Vaughan (2004 - 2010)

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