MEDIA RELEASE
THOROLD, ON. May 1, 2024 — The Thorold BIA was looking for a way to celebrate and honour Nick
Dell’Omo, long time resident, business owner and BIA Board member after his sudden passing in
January of this year.
“We were looking over the categories for this year’s OBIAA (Ontario Business Improvement Area Association) Awards and came across the Jan Hawley Memorial Pinnacle Award
Amy Schanbacher, Coordinator, TBIA.
(Legacy Award) and thought it was the perfect fit to honour Nick’s legacy. We put together an
application and were thrilled to learn that we won”
The Jan Hawley Award recognizes individuals who are accomplished leaders and have demonstrated skills
in advocacy, innovation, and community building at their own organizations, OBIAA and or within the
BIA movement at large. (https://obiaa.com/conference/awards/)
On Monday, April 29, OBIAA held the 2024 BIA Awards. The theme for the gala dinner was “We Are
The Champions” to celebrate Ontario’s BIAs, as they are the champions of their communities. This
year’s almost 30 submissions were awarded based on the BIAs’ ability to meet the judging criteria.
Previous award recipients have inspired communities across Ontario and willingly shared their
programs and projects through the network of BIAs and their respective municipalities.
“I was shocked and greatly saddened on the passing of longtime friend, Nick Dell’Omo. I had the
Serge Carpino, Chair, Thorold BIA:
privilege of having him serve as my former vice chair of the BIA and co-chair of the BIA Car Show.
Nick ran and owned Riganelli’s Bakery for many years, as well as Biscotti’s Café on Front St, was on the
Board of the GTBC and then NBOTAC supporter. Nick was also president of Club Capri for the past
seven years. Nick passed on Wednesday, January 17th. He is greatly missed by all that knew him. Rest
in peace my friend.”
“I was new to Thorold when I heard about Nick. I often frequented Riganelli’s Bakery. It was a special
Laurie-Anne Lamothe, Vice-Chair, Thorold BIA:
place to shop. It was a pillar to the downtown core. I opened a business in the BIA. He was a fixture
at meetings for the BIA and the Niagara Board of Trade and Commerce. Nick always had a smile on
his face. He was always helping out in the BIA—even picking up garbage. Nick exemplifies what it’s
like to be of service in the BIA. He didn’t do it for recognition. He did it for the community.”
“A guy like Nick doesn’t come along often and we as a city were lucky to have him. He cared deeply for
Mal Woodhouse, former Mayor of the City of Thorold and current President of the Thorold Museum
his employees, his customers and his fellow small business owners. He led by example and always
donated meeting space and food and beverages for small committees, which brought a lot of people
to the BIA district.
His leadership in the Thorold BIA car show was instrumental in not only organizing a fun, ongoing
event-it helped in bringing a whole new demographic of people to our downtown area in large
numbers. He provided and facilitated the promotion of our BIA area every week for years through the
car show.”
Board: