True to form and cementing his reputation as a humanitarian, Perry Dellelce parlayed an evening dedicated to honouring his efforts into giving back to others.
Dellelce was presented with the Paul Harris Award on May 21 at the Caruso Club, during a sold out event that saw 500 people gather to celebrate his achievement. The awards established in the name of Rotary Club founder Paul Harris, were introduced to acknowledge significant humanitarian efforts that embody the Rotary motto, "Service Above Self."
That motto could not be more true when speaking about Perry Dellelce, as on a night where he was the focal point, he made a donation a $25,000 donation to Sudbury's NEO Kids health centre.
The contribution was a matching donation to the $25,000 raised through ticket sales, which will be donated to Toronto's SickKids Hospital.
"Perry's leadership in education and health care and athletics has distinguished him, not just within our community and the country, but beyond the borders of our country, as well," said Gerry Lougheed Jr.
"He's been a philanthropist, he's been hugely successful in his profession and has been very generous in that success with helping others."
While Dellelce now calls Toronto home, he has remained strongly tied to his Sudbury roots, and frequently visits the city where he was born and raised. Joining Dellelce at Tuesday's awards were well-known Canadian businessman Kevin O'Leary and Olympic medallist Mark Tewksbury.
The two men spoke highly of their friend on his special night, lauding him not only for his significant contributions to health care, athletics and education, but his characteristics as a human being.
"I've known Perry for decades now," said O'Leary. “He's a very interesting lawyer because most lawyers don't do what he does, he's very entrepreneurial and he helps companies get going which is very hard to do.
"It's very unique in that way. You think about what most lawyers do, they try to keep you complying within the laws and work for large corporations. Perry is actually helping companies that are growing and we need more of those in Canada. He's really remarkable that way."
Dellelce worked as O'Leary's campaign manager when he ran for the Conservative leadership position in 2017.
"Perry stays tied to his Sudbury roots and he's very well-rooted in this community, he knows everybody and I think you can tell he's very respected by the number of people that are here tonight," said O'Leary.
"He's a great dining buddy, he's extremely knowledgeable in terms of what trends are occurring in Canada and in politics … and in financial services, I don't know anybody better in Canada. He's so well-connected and when I need something done, I call him."
Tewksbury and Dellelce connected roughly seven years ago, and Dellelce has been involved with fundraising efforts for Canadian Olympians since that time.
"I was there the first time Perry got involved when I was chef de mission for the London Olympics," said Tewksbury. "Basically we herded a whole bunch of Bay Street people to get involved with the Olympic team and Perry was the only one that stepped up and I think that's the story of his life."
Tewksbury said he could get the sense that Dellelce caught a case of Olympic fever as soon as he got involved, and that he might also have another affliction that lends to his willingness to step up and support a variety of organizations and causes.
"You could see that he really got energized by it. I think Perry has a little bit of fomo (fear of missing out) and we all make it work to our advantage," laughed Tewksbury. "But seriously, this award is about service before self and I think that's just really who Perry is and the type of person he is."
Dellelce said when he found out he would be receiving the award, he was in a state of shock.
"After doing a bit of research and understanding what it meant and who were some of the past recipients, you realize the magnitude and the honour that it truly is," said Dellelce.
"More importantly, you realize how important community service is and how the world needs to continue to do those sorts of things, whatever it may be, whether it's day-to-day volunteer work, fundraising, leveraging your time or expertise or contacts or wealth to make things better, it's an important part of all of our lives."
Dellelce pointed to his Sudbury upbringing as a contributor to his success, and says he will always have special tie to the Nickel City.
"It's a special place, my family is from here, my wife's family is from here, my sisters are here, both my parents were born here,” he said. “It's provided me with a foundation and a base that I wouldn't have otherwise and it's an attitude that keeps me grounded and honest that you just don't get in other places and I'm just fiercely proud of my roots.
"I just want to say thank you, I can't believe that there's 500 people that would want to be here and celebrate this with me."