The City of Mississauga announced that the Streetsville Village Square stage has been named the Gary Clipperton Stage, in honour of long-time resident Gary Clipperton and his significant community contributions.

“Mr. Clipperton was a long-time Mississauga resident with deep roots in the Streetsville community,” said Ward 11 Councillor Brad Butt. “Known for his dedication, tireless community leadership and volunteerism, we wanted a fitting tribute to honour his outstanding achievements and what better way than naming an integral part of our community after him. Gary loved Streetsville dearly – it’s where his roots were and where his legacy will live on.”

In his early years, Clipperton was a dedicated school teacher and accomplished athlete who notably won the inaugural Vanier Cup with the University of Toronto’s varsity football team in 1965, and later played professionally for the Calgary Stampeders in the Canadian Football League (CFL) in 1967.

Known as one of the founding directors of the beloved Streetsville Bread and Honey Festival, and an original director on what later became the Mississauga Food Bank, Clipperton left an indelible mark on the community everywhere he went.

“We’re proud to name one piece of the City’s heritage after Mr. Clipperton,” said Nadia Paladino, Director of Parks, Forestry and Environment. “He served on the steering committee that created Meadowvale Theatre and he had a profound passion for music and the arts. He was the founder and director of the Streetsville Musicorp Inc. and its performing vocal section, JUSTUS, which performed throughout Mississauga, Canada and internationally for 40 years – making naming one of the City’s musical assets in his honour particularly meaningful.”

Clipperton’s accolades over the years include the prestigious Bicentennial Award for exemplary community volunteer work in 1984 and being named Mississauga’s Musician of the Year in 1985. He was also inducted to Legends Row, Mississauga’s Walk of Fame, in 2017.

Clipperton sadly passed away on May 2, 2023 at the age of 79. To celebrate his invaluable contributions to the community, the Streetsville Village Square stage will be named in his honour on Friday, June 21 with a community celebration. It will be a place where his musical spirit and legacy can live on in the village he loved.