Biography of Angela Canade



Angela T. Canade led a multi-faceted life. She was a committed community activist, journalist and writer, public relations director, fundraiser, former New York City English teacher, and mother to three children. Ms. Canade was a pillar of her community, in every sense of that word, and uniquely contributed to the history of Bay Ridge and surrounding neighborhoods. She positively influenced countless residents, businesses, organizations and charities.

Ms. Canade was a staunch supporter of the Guild for Exceptional Children (GEC) as both its Director of Public Relations and a member of its Advisory Board, serving for more than 25 years as a tireless champion for its programs that benefit developmentally disabled children and adults. She was one of the GEC’s most vocal and visible advocates and has been cited for her “devoted service to children and adults with developmental disabilities”.

The GEC is a non-profit organization that reaches out to people with developmental disabilities and their families and has provided service and support to the Bay Ridge community for more than 50 years. The mission of the GEC is to help each individual reach his or her potential and to help families cope with the responsibility of caring for a developmentally disabled family member at home. To achieve this goal, a dedicated, well-qualified and caring staff provide clinical, therapeutic, educational, social, residential, recreational and support services designed to stimulate the development of the whole person, fostering self-esteem and pride in accomplishment.

Ms. Canade also worked for Victory Memorial Hospital for 25 years as the Director of Business Development and Public Relations. In addition, for 40 years she promoted numerous community organizations and their events in her widely read weekly Home Reporter and Sunset News column, called Angela.

Ms. Canade was a graduate of Fontbonne Hall Academy, earned a bachelor’s degree at St.John’s University and, later, a master’s degree with honors from New York University. The former teacher served as executive board member and commencement speaker at Fontbonne Hall Academy, on the board of directors of the Student Sports Medicine Internship Program at New Utrecht High School, and was a member of the Public Affairs and Education Committee of the Greater New York Hospital Association. Her continued interest in politics and government led her to positions in both the New York State Senate Assembly and the New York City Council. She was co-chairman of the Inter-Faith Chapel Committee at Victory Memorial Hospital and assistant coordinator of the Economic Development Program in San Jose, Ecuador. Her memberships included the New York Press Club, the American Society for Hospital Marketing and Public Relations of the American Hospital Association, and the Bay Ridge Business and Professional Women’s Club.

Ms. Canade has been the recipient of numerous honors and awards, including the Arthur Levit Award for “exceptional achievements outside the field of education” from the Catholic Teachers Association of Brooklyn and Queens, the Woman of the Year Award from the American Italian Coalition of Organizations (AMICO), the Civic Award from the Dyker Heights Civic Association, the Women of Achievement Award from the New York State Senate, the NYC Council Citation for Community Service, the NYS Assembly Citation for Exemplary Community Service, the Alumna of the Year Award from Fontbonne Hall Academy, and Recognition Awards from the American Legion, Bay Ridge Lioness Club and Prevent Blindness New York.

At the request of Ms. Canade’s family, the Guild for Exceptional Children has established The Angela Canade Memorial Fund to benefit the work of the Guild.

Send donations to Angela Canade Memorial C/O The Guild for Exceptional Children
260 68th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11220

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We at GEC are proud of our history of leadership and service to disabled persons. We invite all who are interested to visit our facilities, meet and talk with our staff and program participants, and perhaps become part of the GEC "family" of Volunteers and Community service opportunities are available.

For inquiries call: 718.833.6633 | Fax: 718.745.2374