Mason who left mark on Pittsburgh streets dies

Tony DiBucci left his stamp on Pittsburgh.

Thousands of cement sidewalks and driveways across the city bear the name of DiBucci & Sons, the cement business that he founded in 1960 with his father and older brother.

He enjoyed masonry work because “at the end of the day, you can stand back and say, ‘I did that,' ” said Mr. DiBucci's younger son, Fred DiBucci of Shaler. “Driving down the road, he would say, ‘Your grandfather and I did that driveway.' ”

Anthony “Tony” DiBucci of Morningside died Sunday, Sept. 4, 2016, of complications from leukemia. He was 80.

Mr. DiBucci entered the masonry business at a young age, his family said. He learned the trade from his father, Fred, an Italian immigrant, and his older brother, Tom.

“If you walk around Squirrel Hill or Shadyside, you'll see the stamp on, like, every block,” said his granddaughter, Alex DiBucci of Hampton.

Mr. DiBucci worked well into his 70s. He was the first to arrive at the office each morning. His workday often began at 5 a.m.

“He just loved to work,” his granddaughter said.

A number of years ago, Mr. DiBucci nearly severed his hand while cutting a stone. When his family visited him in the hospital, said his eldest son, Rick DiBucci of Hampton, “he wasn't worried about his hand being mangled. He was worried about not being able to work.”

A family friend designed the company emblem.

Mr. DiBucci's customers called him “Big Tone”; his employees called him “Chief.”

“He was this big, gentle giant. Everybody loved him,” said Rick DiBucci, who now runs the business with his brother. “The smile he had on his face is what everyone remembers about him.”

In addition to his sons, Fred and Rick, Mr. DiBucci is survived by his wife, Loraine DiBucci of Morningside; daughter, Debbie DiDiano of Shaler; brother, Tom DiBucci of Morningside; sister, Mary Balino of Penn Hills; and nine grandchildren.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Raphael Church in Morningside. Arrangements are being handled by Walter J. Zalewski Funeral Home.

Tony Raap is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 412-320-7827 or traap@tribweb.com.