Pelham Bay Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Services Inc. celebrates a milestone, as 2009 marks 50 years of service for Bronx residents.
Born in Brooklyn, owner Anthony Sassone, Sr., moved to the Bronx after marrying his wife, Maria, gaining experience while working for American Motors.
“I was always an upfront guy. When I was in the Boy Scouts I was a leader, when I served in the Marines during the Korean War I was a leader, and even when I worked for American Motors I was a supervisor,” said the County Club resident, Sassone. “Even though I was alone in starting the company I knew I would make something of myself.”
Sassone established his business in 1959, working out of a garage on Mulford Avenue in Pelham Bay, while still employed at Freedomland U.S.A., an amusement park formerly located where Co-op City stands today, and then the New York World’s Fair.
Over time, the business expanded and briefly moved to a location on Blondell Avenue behind Westchester Square, before Sassone was able to purchase his own 10,000 square foot building at 396 Morris Park Avenue, in 1978.
“It was hard, but I had a lot of contacts from my former jobs and I was well known in the area. That helped me to become one of the industry leaders for the Bronx,” said Sassone, who remains active in local community organizations, such as the Kiwanis.
Sassone stepped aside, letting his late son Tony Sassone, Jr. run the company until he passed away in 2007. Returning to oversee the operations, Sassone was joined by his grandson, Mario Marcellino, Jr. in May of 2008.
Celebrating the 50th year, PBRAC continues to design, create, install and service heating, air conditioning, refrigeration, ventilation, exhaust systems and sheet metal fabrications for commercial and residential use in the Bronx and Westchester County.
“We are very happy and proud of the way we do things and we stand out amongst other companies,” said Marcellino. “We are working with the most modern technology to ensure efficiency and to make it economical for our customers.”
For more information visit www.pbrac.com.
