Ralph Chiodo, President of Peel Chrysler FIAT
For someone who came to Canada as a teenage immigrant from Italy, Ralph Chiodo made the most of his life in a new country as a successful entrepreneur in the automotive industry and a philanthropist.
Chiodo, 78, is the President of Peel Chrysler FIAT, a top Chrysler dealership in Canada in volume sales. On December 29, he was appointed as a member of the Order of Canada, one of the country’s highest civilian honours. He was recognized for his community engagement and generous philanthropy and leadership in the automotive industry. He was among 135 people appointed.
“I was really pleased to hear it and felt honoured to be included with that group,” said Chiodo in an interview with Canadian auto dealer.
Ralph immigrated to Canada via a ship at the age of 14, along with his mother and two siblings. They moved to Niagara Falls to be with his mother’s brother. His childhood dream was to be an auto mechanic.
In later years in Toronto, he apprenticed in auto service repair and graduated from an apprentice mechanic program. With a $7,000 loan from his uncle, he went into business in 1966 at the age of 23, buying a service station and calling it Ralph Chiodo Service Centre.
He then began buying additional service stations. He purchased service centres from other companies and now has 68. In 1980, an Etobicoke Chrysler dealership his store was supplying auto parts to went into receivership and he purchased it.
In the 1990s, he partnered with an individual who operated a small dealership, Peel Chrysler in Mississauga, and took over its management. The partnership eventually dissolved.
His son-in-law, Danny Diamantakos, who had worked in a dealership as an auto mechanic, took over management of Peel Chrysler in 2003. Its slogan is “Nobody beats a deal from Peel.”
Charity is paramount for the Chiodos, who has a room dedicated in their name at the Canadian Museum of Immigration in Halifax, NS. They are also involved in an annual fundraiser for the Trillium Health Centre in the Greater Toronto Area, and raised more than $500,000.
“Community involvement is so important, because it’s my way of giving back,” said Chiodo.
Chiodo is also the CEO of Active Green & Ross, a member of various boards, and is a past president of the Rotary Club Of Etobicoke, which submitted an application for him for the Order of Canada.
