Photographs of Gary Clipperton provided by the Clipperton family

As a way to honour the work, dedication, and community involvement of Streetsville's famous Gary Clipperton, Mississauga's Ward 11 Councillor, Brad Butt, has proposed the stage area in the Streetsville Village Square be renamed for him.

Clipperton, who sadly passed away on May 2nd, 2023, was a pillar of the Streetsville community and was a founding director of the famous Bread & Honey Festival. He was also the founder of the vocal group, Justus and a former CFL player, drafted in 14th spot by the Calgary Stampeders in 1967.

After his CFL career, Clipperton embarked on a long, successful career as a teacher in Mississauga and earned the respect and admiration of others in the community. 

In 2017, he earned a place on Mississauga’s Legends Row, specifically in the arts and culture category, with his contributions to music in Mississauga being a key factor. 

Clipperton's daughter, Kate, who owns Kate's Town Talk Bakery, diagonal from Streetsville Village Square, says "My mom, brother's Kelly and Kasey and I are thrilled and humbled to have dad honoured this way.  He loved Streetsville and bringing the community together through music, so it is quite fitting that the stage in the Village Square be named in his honour where Justus was part of seemingly countless Canada Day and Christmas celebrations. We are very grateful to Brad Butt for presenting this motion and for his support in honouring dad."

On the process side, the proposal was approved by Mississauga council Wednesday, April 17th and will be moved forward for public consultation, followed by a meeting of Mississauga's heritage advisory committee on May 14.
The Ward 11 Councillor was also able to have an exception granted from the City of Mississauga's standard policy of a five-year waiting period to honour someone after they've passed.

There's a chance that if this process continues to progress smoothly, the renaming will take place at the 2024 Streetsville Bread & Honey Festival, which would be sweet timing.