(L) Francesco Aquilini, (C) Evelyn Lau, ( R) Bob Lenarduzzi

 

Francesco Aquilini (1960 – )

Francisco Aquilini was born and raised in Vancouver. After graduating from Templeton Secondary School, he went on to Simon Fraser University where he earned a degree in Business Administration. Later, he earned a Masters degree in Business Administration from UCLA. During the 1980s, he took on a major leadership role in his father’s company, Aquilini Investment Group. This company oversees several major subsidiaries: Vancouver Canucks and Rogers Arena; Aquilini Developments (real estate development), and Aquilini Properties (hotel and office tower management and Golden Eagle Group (recreational and agricultural businesses.) Francesco Aquilini is known for his philanthropic work, supporting support to organizations such as the Canuck Place Children’s Hospice.

Evelyn Lau (1971 – )

Evelyn Lau was born in Vancouver. She had a troubled life as a child, and abandoned her family and school at the age of 14, to live a difficult, itinerant existence that lasted several years. She had begun writing poetry at the age of 12, and after submitting numerous poems to journals, began to receive recognition for her work. In 1989, she published a diary under the title Run Away: Diary of a Street Kid. The book was a critical and commercial success. Her subsequent writings have won several awards, including four Western Magazine Awards, a National Magazine Award, and the Mayor’s Arts Award for Literary Arts. She has worked as a writer-in-residence at the University of British Columbia and Vancouver Community College.

Bob Lenarduzzi (1955 – )

Bob Lenarduzzi was born in Vancouver. He began his long career in professional soccer in 1970 as a player for Reading in the English Football League. In 1974, he joined the NASL Vancouver Whitecaps, and continued playing for them until 1984, making 288 appearances. In 1978, he was voted NASL North American Player of the Year. During 1973 to 1987, he made 96 appearances as a member of the Canadian National Team. His standard playing position was Defender, but in the course of his career he played all other positions at one time or another. From 1987 – 1993, he was Coach and Manager for the Vancouver 86ers of the newly created Canadian Soccer League. During this time, the 86ers won 96 games, tied 28 games, and lost 24 games. In 2001, Lenarduzzi was inducted as a player into the Canadian Soccer Hall of fame. In 2003, he was inducted into the U.S, National Hall of Fame.

 

 

 

 

 

(Note: the information shown here was gathered via Google searches.)