Football Canada recognizes the football life of joe Pistilli
QUEBEC GRIDIRON LEADER PASSES AT 80
Football Canada and Canada’s football community are mourning the passing of Canadian Football Hall of Fame builder Joe Pistilli at 80.
“Few individuals had a track record of consistent contribution to the sport in Canada than Joe Pistilli,” said Football Canada president Jim Mullin.
“He was a titan of commitment to Football Canada through eighteen years of service to the association’s management as director, vice-president, and president.”
During Pistilli’s term as president of Football Canada, the first youth national championship – the U18 Canada Cup – was launched in 1995. Today, the association has over a dozen national and regional tournaments.
He held several roles nationally as well as in his community of Châteauguay, Que., including:
- Commissioner of the QJFL (1970-75)
- Director, Football Canada (1980-85)
- Vice-president of administration, Football Canada (1986-91),
- President, Football Canada (1992-98).
“Joe’s steady leadership to the game in Quebec helped to build the foundation for the unprecedented growth of football in the province that started in the 1990s,” Mullin said.
Pistilli received the Football Canada national award of merit in 1986 for his service to amateur football. Canadian Football Hall of Fame inducted Pistilli in 2010 alongside punter Bob Cameron, receiver Don Narcisse, defensive lineman Elfrid Payton, and quarterback Tracy Ham.