Personal

Every so often, someone asks me how Petrillo Stone has been around for more than a century. The truth is, there’s no secret formula. It’s hard work. It’s pride in what you do. And most importantly, it’s trust earned day by day, year by year, generation by generation. Recently, my brother Frank and I had the opportunity to sit down and share a little bit about our story and partnership with Orange Bank & Trust. The testimonial was meant to talk about our banking relationship, but what came out of it was something more meaningful—it became a reflection on who…

A milestone in any career, I am now celebrating my 45th year continuing the legacy of my family’s stone business, Petrillo Stone Corporation out of Mount Vernon, New York. I joined the firm after graduating college, in the Spring of 1979. The History & the Legacy The business was started by my Grandfather, Anthony T. Petrillo in 1907. My grandfather, uncle (August P. Petrillo), and father (John A. Petrillo) ran the company until the 1970s. During their reign, they were involved in some of the nation’s largest and most prestigious stone projects. Some of the larger projects that they were…

As a stoneworker, I have witnessed the timeless elegance and enduring strength that stone brings to various construction and design projects. From historic monuments to modern residential structures, stone has left an indelible mark on our architectural landscape, showcasing its incredible versatility. I am excited to explore the many applications of stone in masonry and share some insights with you. Here are some ways we utilize stone for both businesses and homes: Facades: Stone facades radiate sophistication and offer endless customization options. Whether adorning homes or commercial buildings, the natural allure of stone elevates curb appeal and leaves a lasting…

Recently, I was able to put my skills, knowledge, and years of experience to use carving beautiful Brownstone features for the Palace Hotel in New York City. Commissioned for this job because of my professionalism and reputation, I was honored to be able to put the Petrillo mark in such a beautiful and historical location. Carving Brownstone Brownstone, sometimes called ‘freestone’ is honestly one of my favorite stones to use for carving. Not only does this stone have a rich history in early American construction – but carving into this stone feels like carving into butter. Back in the late…

I absolutely love historic stonework, especially when it comes to churches and colleges that pre-date even the founding fathers. This last month, we were able to work on the Fort Washington Collegiate Church in Manhattan by hand-carving a tracery window. While this specific building was erected in 1907, it is actually a part of a much bigger group of churches, called the Collegiate Churches of New York. These churches date as far back as 1623. It’s All in the Details A church with that much history demands detail and attention with any addition or renovation. My time was well spent,…