1965-1970
The story of our practice begins long before many of us can remember, back in the days when Cooksville was just starting to take shape into the community we know today. It all started with a man named Robin H. Williams, who was one of the first to dedicate his life to caring for the eyes of our neighbours. After graduating from The Ontario College of Optometry, Dr. Williams became the first optometrist in Cooksville and opened his practice at 2581 Hwy #10 (Hurontario St., just south of Dundas, sometime in the 1940s. He lived on Kirwin Avenue, in Cooksville, where he quickly became a staple in the community, offering his expertise to those who needed it.
A few decades later, in 1963, the Ontario College of Optometry began its Doctor of Optometry Program, giving rise to a new generation of optometrists. One of those fresh graduates, Dr. Vince Zuccaro, had already set his sights on Cooksville. As a young boy, Vince would often visit the area with his family, especially to see George at his farm on Camilla Road, not far from the heart of Cooksville. Vince’s family owned a fruit store near Toronto’s “Sunnyside,” and he had a deep connection to this community that he knew would be the perfect place to start his practice.
In 1965, word around town was that Dr. Williams might be ready to retire. Seizing the opportunity, Dr. Zuccaro, with the help of his father, purchased the practice that had been running for over 30 years. And so, “Williams and Zuccaro, Optometrists” was born. The office, though small by today’s standards, was full of promise: a cozy waiting room with just four seats, a tiny frame dispensary no bigger than 5’x 5’, a lens grinding lab, and a single exam room where the magic happened.
As the years passed, Robin Williams began to slowly ease into retirement, and by 1967, the practice name was changed to “Zuccaro and Williams, Optometrists.” That was the same year that optometry was included in the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP), marking a huge milestone for the profession. It was a year of change in more ways than one—1967 also saw the Toronto Maple Leafs win their last Stanley Cup, a moment that would go down in history. In 1968, Mississauga officially became a town, bringing together the communities of Clarkson, Lakeview, Cooksville, Erindale, Sheridan, Dixie, Meadowvale Village, and Malton.
It was a time of growth, of change, and of connections, just like the story of this practice. From humble beginnings to a community cornerstone, we’ve been here for the people of Cooksville for decades, continuing the legacy of those who laid the foundation before us.
1970-1975
In the early 1970s, fate took a turn that would change the course of our practice. It was around 1971 when Dr. Vincent Zuccaro reconnected with an old friend from his Kappa Sigma fraternity days, Dr. Patrick Tracey. Pat had been practicing in Peterborough, Ontario, but life had a funny way of bringing them together. The two friends went to a Toronto Argonauts game, and what started as a fun outing turned into a life-altering conversation.
At the time, Vince had already established his practice in Cooksville, and Pat, who admired his friend’s dedication and success, was intrigued by the idea of joining him. The timing was right, and as the two talked, Pat realized that this could be a great partnership. He sold his two practices (one in Peterborough and one in Bancroft) and decided to make the move to Cooksville. On January 11, 1971, Dr. Patrick Tracey officially joined the practice.
To accommodate their growing needs, they moved to a larger office at 3071 Hurontario St., right across the street from T.L. Kennedy Secondary School, a space that would help them continue to serve the community as they expanded. But that was just the beginning. It was a space where they could be involved in the newest frontier in optometry—soft contact lenses.
At the time, optometry was entering a new era with the introduction of soft contact lenses, and Vince and Pat were at the forefront of this exciting development. Dr. Zuccaro worked closely with Dr. Al Isen in Buffalo, a pioneer in this emerging field, and with a pharmaceutical company as they learned together how corneal physiology was positively impacted by these new materials. They discovered how the conventional rigid contact lens could be improved, and as they did, the practice became one of the first in Canada to fit soft contact lenses. It was an unforgettable learning experience, one that marked the beginning of a new chapter not only in their professional lives but also in the field of optometry itself. Along with the development of contact lenses, innovations in disinfecting and preservative processes were also being explored, ensuring the safety and comfort of patients.
After two years of working as an associate, Dr. Tracey officially became a partner in the practice, and “Zuccaro and Tracey, Optometrists” continued to grow. The community took notice, and the practice became known for its innovation, its expertise, and its unwavering commitment to providing the best care possible.
In 1974, Mississauga itself was also growing, officially becoming a city. Dr. Martin L. Dobkin was elected as its first Mayor, and the city, whose name comes from the Ojibwa word meaning “River of the North of Many Mouths,” had a population of just 156,000 at the time. Square One Shopping Centre also opened its doors in 1973, becoming a central hub for residents. The same spirit of growth and transformation that defined the city would also come to define our practice, as we continued to evolve and serve the people of Mississauga, one patient at a time
1975-1980
In the early 1970s, Mississauga was growing, and so was our practice. It wasn’t long before the practice reached its capacity, and it became clear that they needed to expand the team by hiring another optometrist.
Dr. Vince Zuccaro, ever the mentor, had been a clinician at the School of Optometry at the University of Waterloo when he first met Peter Martinello, a bright and ambitious graduating optometrist. Vince was immediately impressed by Peter’s knowledge, dedication, and inquisitive nature. He felt that Peter would be the perfect fit for the practice. Peter recognized that new technology was beneficial for the profession and was keenly interested in the advancements Vince and Pat were making. The new town of Mississauga was also attracting many Italian-Canadians, and Peter’s heritage would be a valuable asset for building the practice. So, when Dr. Martinello graduated in 1973, he didn’t waste any time. He joined the team, and just two years later, the practice officially became known as Zuccaro, Tracey, Martinello, Optometrists.
Dr. Martinello quickly became a vibrant force in the optometric community. He not only continued his work as a clinician at the School of Optometry but also developed a special interest in children’s vision, particularly those with learning disabilities. His passion for helping children led him to become a board member of The Vision Institute in Toronto, an organization dedicated to providing eye care services to vulnerable communities in need.
But the practice’s growth didn’t stop there. By 1976, it was evident once again that more space was needed. The team moved to a beautiful new office at 130 Dundas Street East, right at the corner of Dundas and Camilla Road. It was a move that allowed them to continue providing exceptional care while keeping up with the ever-expanding needs of the community.
Around the same time, Dr. Zuccaro’s career was taking a new direction. After spending several years working with the Province and the City, Dr. Zuccaro won the nomination and ran for MPP in his riding. Professionally, he had been working as a consultant for Barnes-Hind Pharmaceuticals in Sunnyvale, California, and in 1978, he was offered a one-year director position. Though he knew he’d eventually return to Mississauga, the allure of sunny California led him and his family to make the move. Little did they know, they would fall in love with the West Coast and end up staying there much longer.
With Dr. Zuccaro’s move, the practice was once again in need of another optometrist. Dr. Martinello was connected to Dr. Martin Falke, a new graduate who had been advised to reach out to him. After meeting with Martin, Dr. Martinello was confident that he would be an excellent addition to the team. In 1978, Dr. Martin Falke officially joined the practice, and with Dr. Zuccaro’s absence becoming permanent, the practice was renamed Tracey, Martinello & Falke, Optometrists.
The year 1978 was also a notable year in Mississauga’s history, as it marked the election of Hazel McCallion, the city’s longest-standing mayor. She would go on to lead Mississauga through decades of growth and transformation. And just a year later, in 1979, the city would experience a life-altering event. The infamous Mississauga Train Derailment, also known as the “Mississauga Miracle,” occurred on November 10, 1979. A CP Rail freight train carrying hazardous chemicals derailed and caught fire. The entire city, over 200,000 people, was evacuated, but miraculously, no one was injured. The event would become a testament to the city’s resilience and the strength of its community.
Through these years of change and growth, both for the city and for our practice, the doctors and staff continued to serve the people of Mississauga, ensuring that their vision—and our vision for the future—remained bright.
1980-1985
The 1980s saw continued growth for the practice, especially with the addition of Dr. Martin Falke. He quickly became an integral part of the team and the local community. In addition to his work at the practice, Dr. Falke remained a clinical supervisor at the University of Waterloo School of Optometry. His passion for optometry extended to special interests in contact lenses and sports vision, areas where he made a significant impact. He became a respected consultant in the field, serving on several eye care advisory panels.
Dr. Falke’s expertise earned him an invitation from Bausch & Lomb to join their Olympic Sports Vision Team. In 1994, he had the honour of providing visual performance screenings at the Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway.
During this time, Dr. Patrick Tracey’s passion for advancing the Optometry profession continued. His dedication to improving the field led him to take on key leadership roles, including serving as the chair of the Complaints Committee and as a member of the Discipline Committee at the College of Optometrists of Ontario. He also became the Chair of the OHIP Committee at the Ontario Association of Optometrists, where he worked tirelessly to negotiate better fees for Optometric services. It was a time when his influence and expertise helped shape the future of Optometry in Ontario, ensuring the profession’s growth and sustainability.
The 1980s also marked a time of great strides in the field of Optometry itself. It was a decade of change, as optometrists began to take on a broader role in managing eye diseases, including the use of pharmaceutical treatments. In some parts of the United States, optometrists were granted the ability to prescribe medications for conditions like eye infections, inflammation, and even glaucoma. This shift not only expanded the scope of Optometry but also significantly enhanced the level of care patients could receive.
