Photo: Woodworking
AWMAC Ontario is truly heartbroken to announce the passing of Carlo DeFrancesco.
Taken from us far too soon, Carlo tragically lost his short but valiant battle with glioblastoma on June 28, 2023, at the age of 57.
A name truly synonymous with AWMAC, Carlo started woodworking in his teens in the family business, Green Valley Woodworking.
Carlo and his brother assumed leadership of the company in 1989 and continued to grow and innovate in the industry.
With an eye to the future, Carlo and Green Valley joined AWMAC in 1994, knowing that we needed an association to thrive in the current market.
Soon after, he joined the Ontario board of directors and ultimately became the chapter president from 2005-2007; at which point he continued his service to the industry at the national level, where he was national president from 2016-2018.
Carlo was responsible for driving AWMAC’s initiatives that standardized our chapters, policies, procedures, and governance reform; ultimately forging our eight chapters into a truly national association; and even strengthening our ties with the Woodwork Institute in the U.S.
After a very short hiatus, we not-too-subtly coaxed him back to the Ontario chapter board, and he was again elected president in 2021, where he continued to drive chapter governance initiatives, as well as creating the momentum for the Ontario chapter’s member health benefits program.
Despite his health requiring his departure in October of 2022, Carlo remained incredibly positive and continued to stay involved and provide his calm and steady guidance to the association and industry he loved up until his unfair and untimely passing.
With his wry grin and quiet demeanour, Carlo was a truly genuine individual, honest and straightforward, with impeccable business and personal ethics. Equally at home in his motorcycle leathers, a business suit or a shop apron.
As a friend, a leader, and a mentor: Carlo truly checked all the boxes.
I know I’m not alone in crediting his leadership with my involvement in the association, and the desire to “pay it forward,” and leave the cabinetmaking trade better than we found it.
The woodworking industry is a relatively small, and close-knit family. The loss of such a selfless advocate, and effective leader, is deep blow to not only his family, but also to ours.
Carlo leaves behind his loving wife Angela, his three children Christopher (Jessica), Cynthia (Rocky), and Damian; as well as a profound legacy of service and professionalism that will keep his memory alive for decades to come.
Thank you, Carlo.
Godspeed, my friend.
Nick Anastas
President, AWMAC Ontario Chapter
