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". 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). He was the oldest of eight siblings and grew up in Biloxi. 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: The 22-story Lykes Center completed in 1966, which became the Loews Hotel. Texaco Center, completed in 1983. Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza, completed in 1984. 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. Consequently, Canizaro folded his franchise in 1986. 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". School of Pharmacy at William Carey University Tradition campus, opened in 2018. Bryant Center School of Nursing & Simulation Lab – Opened in 2018 as part of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. 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. Ribbon cutting for the completed facility took place on April 11, 2025.

Public service Trustee and past Chairman of the Urban Land Institute Member of Tulane University President's Council

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: Canizaro Center for Catholic Studies at Loyola University New Orleans. Donated property on which the MGCCC Bryant Center nursing facility was constructed in the Tradition community. He was interred in Metairie Cemetery. Mayor's Medal of Honor (1999), New Orleans Louisiana Italian-American Sports Hall of Fame Award Honorary Doctorate from Notre Dame Seminary. Recipient of 2019 MGCCC Hornsby Award