The Mountain resident and downtown business owner will be honoured Saturday night as 2008 Italian Canadian Citizen of the Year by the Sons of Italy.

Ms Zaffiro, president and CEO of Marchese Health Care, was recognized for her contributions over the years, professionally and socially.

Currently, she is chair of Hamilton's Villa Italia Retirement Residence, where she was a driving force along with her father, Nicholas, then chair of the Sons of Italy Charitable Corporation, in getting the facility built.

She is also a board member and past chair of the North Hamilton Community Health Centre

“I have a sense of obligation," Ms Zaffiro said of her work in the community. "If we're given an opportunity, we have an obligation to others.”

Her professional and volunteer work in the city was previously recognized in 1998 when she was named Hamilton's Distinguished Citizen of the Year. In 2005, she was honoured with the Athena Award for professional merits and community service, as well as for assisting women in attaining professional excellence.

In 2007, she was named by the Canadian Pharmacists Association as one of the most influential pharmacists of the past century.

Ms Zaffiro is the third generation in her family to earn the honour.

Her grandfather, Francesco Zaffiro, who came to Canada, was named Italian Canadian Citizen of the year in 1983.

Her father, Nicholas J. Zaffiro, a founding partner in the Agro, Cooper, Zaffiro law firm, was honoured in 1976.

Ms. Zaffiro is married to Len Oskroba. They are raising four sons, Nick, Stefan, Andrew and Theo.

Loris Pilot, chair of the event, said Ms Zaffiro believes that good corporate citizenship supports community development.

“The spirit of giving to the communities in which Marshes Health Care staff live and work is an integral part of Marchese Health Care’s culture,” she said.

“Marita is passionate about social and healthcare causes. Her company donates thousands of dollars annually to non-profit health-related organizations and projects.

“She also encourages her staff to represent Marchese Health Care as volunteers with charitable organizations.”

Most recently, Ms Zaffiro donated $20,000 to St. Joseph’s Healthcare Foundation's Baby Face Photo Wall as a way to encourage other corporations to support the campaign.

Ms. Zaffiro will receive her award at the annual Sons of Italy gala on Saturday (Nov. 22) at LIUNA Gardens in Winona.