Const. Marc Pinizzotto's mother, Linda, is set to honor her son with a banner at the Port Credit Canada Day Parade, taking place on Wednesday. The parade will be held from 11 a.m. to noon on Hurontario St. and Lakeshore Rd. east to Seneca Ave. in Mississauga, followed by a street festival on Lakeshore from Stavebank Rd. to Hurontario from noon to 11 p.m.
The community has rallied around Linda, providing a four-by-eight banner courtesy of Sign Den Graphics Inc. and a truck for the parade courtesy of Peel Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Fiat. Volunteers will carry the banner along the parade route, paying tribute to Marc, an 18-year police veteran and 43-year-old husband and father of two who was killed on June 11 while executing search warrants at a North York high-rise.
Linda expressed her gratitude for the community's support, stating, "They did it in record time. We have a tremendous amount of community support." She emphasized the importance of community involvement, saying, "It's all about helping out and making the community a better place."
Linda's own family has been deeply involved in volunteer work, and she believes this has had a lasting impact on their values. "We have always, always in our house endorsed volunteerism," she said. "Always heavily involved. Always giving back. Doing the best we can. The kids grew up with that atmosphere and it resonated so well that it continued through to adulthood."
Linda also plans to advocate for greater recognition and support for mothers who have lost their children in the line of duty. "Mothers struggle when they lose a child they can never replace," she said. "I would have loved to have something of memory of my son from the police force."
Linda believes that the dangers faced by police officers every day have a profound impact on their families. "The danger that police face every day affects their family as well," she said. "I had an opportunity to greet mothers, wives, of course, and brothers and sisters of fallen officers in different capacities, and I found that the mothers, in particular, still haven't recovered from the loss of their child."
Linda's efforts to honor her son and support families of fallen officers are a testament to the enduring impact of Marc's life and legacy. As she moves forward, she will continue to advocate for greater recognition and support for mothers like herself who have lost their children in the line of duty.
