Paletta patriarch who built business empire from nothing dies at age 87
Humble beginnings in Italy led to creation of a multifaceted corporation his sons will keep growing
The patriarch of the Paletta business family has died.
Pasquale “Pat” Paletta, who built up the family’s empire after emigrating from Italy to Canada in 1949, died Wednesday at 87.
His humble beginnings led to the creation of a multifaceted corporation his “boys” will continue to grow, said son Angelo.
“I think he was Julius Caesar incarnate,” he said. “He never wanted to stop building the empire.”
After first settling in northern Ontario, Paletta came to Hamilton with his family in 1951 and worked in several meat stores. In 1953, he purchased his first animal, and “this was the beginning of the empire,” his obituary reads.
The following year, Paletta, his father and his brothers built their first meat-packing plant in Hannon, and in 1964, they purchased a property in Burlington where they opened a federally inspected meat-packing plant. By 1983, he had built the business up to become the largest private meat packer in Eastern Canada.
Paletta also started a beef feedlot and crop production to supply livestock to the plant and fed cattle in Western Canada and the U.S.
In Italy, his family had been “very well-off,” but most of that wealth had vanished before he left, Angelo said. It was his drive to rebuild that prosperity when he moved to Canada.
Paletta — a driven, family man — wanted all of his “boys” to work with him at Paletta International.
“To the day he passed, he wanted to be called, asked how things were going, if we needed any help,” said an emotional Angelo.
In 1967, he started the real estate division, which the family says led to him owning property across Ontario and becoming the largest land holder and developer in the City of Hamilton and the Region of Halton combined.
When Angelo would question why his dad was buying properties, he told him it would give his great, great grandkids financial support.
“His plan was to do things for multiple generations and hundreds of years to come,” he said.
In 2013, the Burlington Economic Development Corporation recognized Paletta as Entrepreneur of the Year.
In addition to his business acumen, Paletta will also be remembered for his philanthropic efforts.
In 2016, the family launched the Pasquale and Anita Paletta Family Match Challenge in support of the redevelopment and expansion of Joseph Brant Hospital, matching all donations up to $5 million.
“This extraordinary generosity was instrumental in the transformation of our community hospital,” the hospital foundation said on its website.
In a statement on behalf of council, Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward commended Paletta’s generosity to local health care organizations and the City of Burlington, which included an addition at Carpenter Hospice and allowing Paletta Mansion to remain in public hands.
His business interests also contributed to the growth and prosperity of the city, Meed Ward noted.
“His incredible legacy as a selfmade businessman will continue to carry on now through his family,” she said. “Mr. Paletta has left us a great legacy that will last for years to come.”
Paletta is survived by his wife Anita, his four boys and their spouses, his grandchildren and other family.