Saputo Tribute Sensational Soirée

The tribute to Lino Saputo, the handsome leonine leader of the company that bears his name (www.saputo.com), was held at the cavernous Windsor Station – but, boy, the soaring space looked fabulous!

Lino and Mirella Saputo

Red – the corporate colour of Saputo – was the dominant colour, seen in rose petals (strewn amidst the amazing Saputo cheeses), rose bouquets (in the floral arrangments) and the red and white gingham napkins at the dinner tables.

les fleurs

Table settings for the 600 guests

The soirée was a fund-raiser for PORTAGE,  a non-profit organization offering treatment for drug abuse. Portage operates seven drug addiction centres in Québec.Portage president Peter Howlett greeted guests with his wife Morag.

Peter and Morag Howlett

Montreal’s corporate world attended to express their esteem and respect for the philanthropist.  Honourary president of the event was André Bérard (attending with Danielle Gendron) and co-presidents were André Chagnon (attending with Lucie), Pierre Beaudoin, and Louis Vachon.

Attending the glittering eve were Minister of Finance and Revenue Raymond Bachand (with Micheline Brazeau) and Montreal Mayor Gérald Tremblay (with Suzanne Tremblay), as well as infuencers of the city’s corporate and cultural worlds.

Noted during the delicious cocktail dînatoire (with amazing minted lamb from caterer Queen Elizabeth)  were Carmelle and Rémi Marcoux, chairman of the board and founder Transcontinental;  and that company’s president and ceo François Olivier with Isabelle Marcoux; Monique Grégoire and Henri-Paul Rousseau, vice-chairman Power Financial Corporation; Marcel Côté, co-founder SECOR Conseil; Pierre Beaudoin, president and ceo, Bombardier; Chantal Carrier and Louis Vachon, president and ceo, National Bank Financial Group; Ginette and Serge Godin, executive chairman of the board of CGI; Solange Dugas and Lucien Bouchard, associate, Davies Ward Philipps & Vineberg LLP, Alain Bédard, chairman and ceo, TransForce Inc. and Stéphane Achard, senior vp at Desjardins Group.  Due the generosity of the guests and the support of the GOLD sponsors, a cheque for $650,000 was presented to Portage.

Oh, almost forgot. The Door Prize was an amazing car:  A 1957 Thunderbird graciously donated by Lino Saputo!

The Saputo clan was out in force at this elegant evening.  Seen in the cocktail crowd were Nadia Saputo and Vincent Musacchio, Amelia and Lino Saputo Jr. president and ceo Saputo;  and Carmen and Joey Saputo, president of the the Montreal Impact.

A night to remember as Bob Perras valet crew quickly whipped away the Rolls Royce, the vans, the Jettas and the SUVs – and then just as quickly returned them as guests departed into the night.  Bravo!