Pierre Marcolina, 82, masonry contractor

Pierre Joseph "Pete" Marcolina, 82, a masonry contractor whose stonework can be seen on venerable buildings throughout the Philadelphia area, died Saturday, March 9, of cancer at a hospice in Vero Beach, Fla.

Mr. Marcolina retired in 2000 after more than 50 years in the family business, Marcolina Bros. Inc., formerly on Mermaid Lane in Chestnut Hill. He became president after his father, Pietro, retired in the mid-1950s.

The Marcolina Bros. property included a quarry off Waverly Road from which Wissahickon schist was taken to be used on the exteriors of buildings in Philadelphia and the Main Line.

The company's claim to fame was its deft Italian stone masons; influential families knew that, and hired the firm to maintain their big estate buildings, Mr. Marcolina's family said.

Under his leadership, the firm worked on the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Barnes Foundation, Albert M. Greenfield Estate (now the Temple University Sugar Loaf Conference Center), Chestnut Hill Hospital, Longwood Gardens, Villanova University, Bryn Mawr College, and Chestnut Hill Academy.

For many years, Mr. Marcolina also contributed design and stone work that formed a background for exhibits at the Philadelphia Flower Show.

The company was sold in 2000.

Born and raised in Laverock, he graduated from La Salle College High School and received a bachelor's degree in civil engineering and business from Drexel University in 1952.

While in college, he pledged Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity and was president of the Newman Club and the Independent Men of Drexel.

He met Amelia Geraldine Lulewitch while working as a lifeguard in Beach Haven, N.J. The two married in 1954 after a courtship in New York City, where she was appearing as a Radio City Rockette. They raised a family in Lafayette Hill and summered at their vacation home in Beach Haven.

Mr. Marcolina had a ringing baritone that he was not shy about using. "He loved to be in the spotlight," said his daughter-in-law Kathy Marcolina. "If you were a waitress or store clerk, he would end up singing to you before he left the store."

He performed in college and community theater productions, and recorded a CD of Broadway love songs, including one with his granddaughter. He sang with the Holy Cross Choir in Vero Beach, where he and his wife wintered.

He loved golf. Known as "Pierre the Bear" on the links, he was a longtime member of Whitemarsh Valley Country Club. In addition, Mr. Marcolina enjoyed deep sea fishing on his boat, the Sol y Mar.

A devout Catholic, he worshipped at St. Philip Neri in Lafayette Hill, St. Francis of Assisi in Beach Haven, and Holy Cross in Vero Beach. He considered becoming a priest and attended a seminary briefly, his family said.

Surviving, in addition to his wife, are sons Peter, Daniel, and Kirk, and three grandchildren.

A Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Friday, March 15, at St. Philip Neri Roman Catholic Church, 437 Ridge Pike, Lafayette Hill. A viewing starts at 9:30 a.m. Burial will be in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Cheltenham Township.

Donations may be made to the Beach Haven Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund, 300 Engleside Ave., Beach Haven, N.J. 08008.