Joseph C. Canizaro


Joseph C. Canizaro 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". 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, and Gilda Melone Canizaro. He was the oldest of eight siblings and grew up in Biloxi. He graduated from Notre Dame High School in Biloxi; although he attended several colleges, he did not receive a degree. In 1961, Canizaro married Sue Ellen Mattina, and the couple moved to New Orleans in 1964.

Career

New Orleans businessman and developer

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

Sports

In 1983, Canizaro purchased the USFL's New Orleans Breakers football team. Over 3 seasons, the team played under three names – Boston Breakers, New Orleans Breakers, and Portland Breakers. Because of their inability to televise fall football games in competition with the NFL, USFL teams lost millions of dollars in revenue. Consequently, Canizaro folded his franchise in 1986.

Tradition community development

In the late 1990s, Canizaro purchased from International Paper Company approximately of mostly forested land located in central Harrison County, Mississippi. On that land, Canizaro began developing Tradition – a planned community located approximately north of Biloxi, off Mississippi Highway 67. When fully developed, Tradition is projected to cover and contain 15,000 residential units. Tradition has been described as "Mississippi's first master planned community".
As of 2023, Canizaro's health corridor developments in association with Tradition, have included:

Public service

Philanthropy

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

Death

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

Honors and awards