Champions for Peel Memorial

For decades, community leaders John Cutruzzola and Bill Kanellopoulos have been tireless champions for Peel Memorial and health care in Brampton. Their advocacy—rooted in friendship, civic pride, and determination—helped secure Peel Memorial’s place as a cornerstone of care for generations. 

John, an artist and long-time Brampton resident, began his involvement in the early 1980s with concerts, art fundraisers, and community drives. “I didn’t have much, but whatever I could do—small or big—was part of my life,” he recalls. His efforts grew into a lifelong mission to protect and strengthen local health care.  

“A hospital is the foundation of the community—it’s always there when needed.”

Bill, who has lived and worked in Brampton for more than 50 years, remembers organizing one of the first telethons for Peel Memorial. “It wasn’t just about the money,” he says. “It was about sending a message that a hospital is not a choice—it’s a necessity.” That belief has guided his continued philanthropy and leadership.

Their voices were especially critical when Peel Memorial’s future was uncertain. Developers once eyed the site for housing, but John and Bill—alongside friends—mobilized the community, the Board of Trade, and political leaders to secure the hospital’s future. As members of the Campaign Cabinet, they worked to ensure Peel Memorial remained at the heart of the city. Both men also made personal contributions, demonstrating their conviction that leadership requires action as well as words. 

"Brampton is one of the fastest-growing cities in Canada," he shares. "We need a second hospital to make sure families can access the care they need, right here in their own community. This is an investment in our future."

Now, as Phase Two of Peel Memorial moves forward, John and Bill reflect on what it means to see their vision realized. “It means everything,” John says. Bill adds, “A hospital is the foundation of the community—it’s always there when needed.”

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