New Orleans Skyline Visionary Joe Canizaro Dies at 85
From Biloxi Surgeon's Son to New Orleans Development Pioneer Born into a family where precision and service defined daily life, Joe Canizaro emerged from the coastal Mississippi community of Biloxi. He was the eldest of eight children to Dr. Vito Canizaro, a prominent local surgeon, and Gilda Melone Canizaro. The family influence was instrumental in shaping Canizaro's future trajectory. His father's medical career instilled a discipline and work ethic that would later define his real estate empire. Community roots in Biloxi provided the foundation for Canizaro's philanthropic vision and business approach. The loss of his father in 1954 marked a pivotal shift in the family's dynamics. In 1961, Canizaro married Sue Ellen Mattina. This set the stage for their 1964 relocation to New Orleans. This strategic move launched his transformation from a medicine-adjacent background into commercial real estate development. The shift represented more than geographical change. His...