Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1173012
2 | October 6, 2019 Ghilotti Bros, Inc — Since 1914 D uring his youth in Italy, James Ghilotti learned the art of stone masonry from his father and grandfather. Upon turning 18, James spent his next fours years working in the Kimberly Diamond Mines of South Africa along with his two uncles. With the money he was able to save during these years, James decided to visit his uncle in the Unit- ed States, specifically in San Rafael, California. He immediately took up a job in his original craft, stone mason- ry, and work was plentiful due to the recent 1906 earthquake. After return- ing to his homeland, James met and married his wife, Amalia and the two made plans to settle down in Grosio, Italy. However, the call of the New Land was too powerful and within four years they found themselves back in San Rafael, CA, only now accompanied by their six-month-old son William. In order to make ends meet, James set up shop in San Rafael, where he would haul rocks by a horse-drawn sled to various job sites and perform masonry work by hand. He built some of the area's first concrete retaining walls and concrete pati- os, some of which still stand today, including the rock walls at the Blue Rock Inn. James and Amalia even- tually had five sons: William (Willie), Dino, Dante, Henry (Babe), Mario and one daughter, Nancy. Sadly, Dante died at a young age and the other four sons continued on working in the family business. The company name was changed in 1935 to James Ghilotti and Sons in honor of the boys' hard work. After serving their country in World War II, the four brothers re- turned home to continue working for the family business, which was now primarily involved in small grading and paving jobs. As their knowledge expanded, so did their company and soon the family business began taking on concrete tilt-ups, earthwork and demolition and finally heavy highway and underground construction. Diversity proved to be the key to growth and success and business began to boom. In 1950, James sold the company to his four sons and the name was changed to Ghilotti Bros., Inc. (GBI) Then in 1960, Henry (Babe) Ghilotti left the company and together with Elmo Maggiora started Maggiora and Ghilotti. In 1967, Willie passed away, leaving GBI in the care of Dino and Mario Ghilotti for the next 45 years. During this time the com- pany grew dramatically from $20 million annually to over $100 million during the 1980's. Dick Ghilotti joined the company in 1970 after graduating from Santa Clara University, focusing on field operations until his father passed away in 1990. Michael Ghilotti started full time at GBI after gradu- ating from St. Mary's College in 1984 and continued working part-time while he got his MBA in Project and Construction Management in 1987 from Golden Gate University. In 1991, Dick Ghilotti left the company to start Ghilotti Construction Company with his cousin Jim Ghilotti (son of Babe). This left Mario as the last surviving brother. This was an extremely challenging time for the company. Not only had Mario's only remaining brother and partner passed away, but 6 months earlier the compa- ny's massive $50M project, Northgate Subdivision in Vallejo got shut down by the Resolution Trust Corporations as part of the Savings & Loan Crisis. see 100+ YEARS, page 3 Ghilotti Bros., Inc. Over 100 Years of Service To The Bay Area and Surrounding Communities GBI's first yard at 1329 Fourth Street in San Rafael (Back of James' house). Putting in new street at St. Vincent's Church in Petaluma. Grading work during the construction of the Marin Civic Center.