Celebrating the Life of Gus Anselmi

On May 16, 2019, we lost a great man and patriarch to this company. Gus was not only our boss and an industry leader but also a devoted father, husband, brother, grandfather, godfather, mentor, community leader, trustee, servant to multiple charities and a pillar of the Catholic Church. After racking my brain as to what I should say and keeping this a celebration of his life, I realized the greatest words about him had already been written by his loving family. I would like to share it with you as this week’s chat.

Eustace Anselmi, Little Giant and Humble Servant

Born on June 11, 1932 to Carmela and Dominick Anselmi, both of whom had emigrated from Southern Italy, Gus was the older brother and role model to his siblings Antoinette, Thomas, and Angela. Growing up in a loving home in Maplewood, New Jersey, he attended and was a graduate of St. Joseph grammar school, Columbia High School, and Seton Hall University, where he studied mathematics and philosophy. After his last college exam in 1954, he walked home with tears of joy in his eyes, forever thereafter a businessman and philosopher.
Gus Anselmi worked with his father and uncle to start Anselmi and DeCicco, a small construction company specializing in sidewalks and driveways. On a brilliant Sunday in 1954, he met the love of his life, Ann, on the beach in Asbury Park. They were married in 1956, and gave birth to Gregory in 1958, Gina in 1960 and Andrew in 1965.

With his brother Tom joining him as a partner and always at his side, the two inspired a company of bold innovators and achievers, always known for their honesty and integrity. A champion of entrepreneurship and a devout Catholic, he was fond of saying “Woe to the man who wakes in the morning knowing how much money he will make by day’s end.” In the same breath, he would attribute all of his successes to “the Grace of God.” His and his company’s imprint was left on infrastructure projects such as the development of Liberty State Park, Liberty Science Center, the renovation of Newark Airport International Airport, the “Spaghetti Bowl” interchange of Routes 46, 23 and 80 in Wayne, New Jersey, and multiple other highways and bridges in the Tri-State area that brought people together. In his later years, he, his brother and their families owned and ran a cattle ranch in Costa Rica, which became a rich source of togetherness and adventure.

His community and church involvement were profound: member of the President’s Advisory Committee at Seton Hall; Trustee of Caldwell College; Trustee of Delbarton School; Trustee of St. Philomena’s Church; Scoutmaster for Troop 16 in Livingston; and a member of the Livingston Planning Board, where he was affectionately known as “Let ‘Em Build Gus.” He also served on the Board of Directors of the Utility and Transportation Contractors Association, as a Trustee of CIAP of New Jersey, a board member of Summit Bancorp, and board member of Viannini, S.p.A. His honors and awards are too numerous to list.

A crowning moment in Anselmi’s journey took place in 2016, when he aided the Vatican during the Year of Mercy. He sponsored a concert for the homeless at St. Peter’s Square, led by legendary international composer Ennio Morricone, where he enjoyed live renditions from “The Mission,” which he blasted regularly from his kitchen stereo. In his private audience with the Holy Father, this titan to so many uttered humbly “I love you.”

We Love You Too.