Linda Pinizzotto is determined to honour her son, Toronto Police Const. Marc Pinizzotto, who was killed in the line of duty on June 11, 2026, with a tribute banner at the Port Credit Canada Day parade on Wednesday. The parade will run from 11 a.m. to noon along Hurontario Street and Lakeshore Road East to Seneca Avenue in Mississauga, followed by a street festival on Lakeshore from Stavebank Road to Hurontario from noon to 11 p.m.
Community rallies to support tribute
The community quickly mobilized to assist with the tribute. Sign Den Graphics Inc. donated a four-by-eight-foot banner, and Peel Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Fiat provided a truck for the parade. Volunteers will carry the banner along the parade route. “They did it in record time,” Linda said. “We have a tremendous amount of community support.”
Pinizzotto, an 18-year veteran of the Toronto Police Emergency Task Force, was 43 years old and a husband and father of two. He was killed on June 11 while executing search warrants at a North York high-rise, one of which was linked to the March shooting at the U.S. Consulate in Toronto. His funeral on June 24 at the Toronto Congress Centre drew more than 10,000 police officers from across Canada and the U.S., along with dignitaries. He was remembered as a man of courage, professionalism, and dedication.
Family legacy of volunteerism
Linda emphasized that her son’s commitment to helping others was rooted in a family culture of volunteerism. “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. And that’s why my grandchildren are heavily involved in everything as well.”
At the funeral, many spoke of Pinizzotto’s ongoing generosity. “Marc was always there helping people,” Linda said. “Everybody talked about him at the funeral, about how much he continued to give back, off duty or on duty. That doesn’t come overnight. That’s a foundation you grow up with.”
Advocacy for grieving mothers
Linda also called for greater support for mothers who lose children in the line of duty. “Mothers struggle when they lose a child they can never replace,” she said. She plans to advocate for more recognition and emotional consideration for mothers from police forces. “As a mom, losing my son is devastating and mothers need more recognition in this period of time, especially from the police,” Linda said. “I understand there’s a protocol with wives, but mothers gave birth and we’re forever. I would have loved to have something of memory of my son from the police force.”
She noted that the danger police face daily also impacts their families. “I had an opportunity to greet mothers, wives, of course, and brothers and sisters of fallen officers in different capacities and in particular the mothers, I found, my strength was calming them,” she said. “Even if they had lost their son or daughter five years ago, they still haven’t recovered from it and the grieving process is much more intense and I found myself giving them comfort as much as they were giving me.”
