The East Haven Town Green has been undergoing various renovations and upgrades for the past two years spearheaded by the Beautification Committee. In addition to refinishing the gazebo, new benches were installed along a walkway of dedicated bricks. The most recent addition, though, can’t be missed as the archway welcomes visitors to the green.

The committee contacted East Haven resident Tony Maresca, who owns American Iron Works, LLC, with ideas for the project. Committee members include Mayor Joe Carfora, Michelle Benivegna, Ann Pennington, Charlie Coyle, Linda Hargraves, Beth Capotorto, Bruce Scobie, Barbara Brow, and Susan Stacey.

Mark Amato of Amato Landscaping, Angelo Lieto of A. Lieto Construction, landscape architect Mark Papa from Sophora, LLC, and the East Haven Department of Public Works also contributed to the committee. Papa outlined his vision for the archway and Tony got to work.

“He had a design in mind and wanted to get it as close to that design as possible, so we got together, talked about it, and decided on sizes and archway types,” says Tony. “Once we agreed on the design, I ordered the materials and tried a little of this and a little of that. They wanted an old-style looking archway without it being too ornate.”

Both Papa and Carfora worked with Tony on the design. Once it was finalized, Tony ordered the 20-foot and 40-foot lengths of steel needed to make it happen. From there, Tony cut the steel and began the process of bending and shaping the different sections before assembling it.

Once the metal piece of the archway was completed, Tony sent it to be galvanized so that it is weatherproof. It then was sent for a powder coating before Tony installed the piece on the green. Lieto Construction installed the stone columns on which the archway was placed.

Despite its large size and intricate details, Tony completed the entire build of the archway in about a week. Though Tony has headed up his company since 1982, this is the first large public piece that he has installed.

“It was nice to do a job in town and have something where people are going to see it,” says Tony. “I’ve heard from a lot of people who have said they like it so that’s nice to hear.”

Though metal-working has run in Tony’s family for generations, he wasn’t always sure that he wanted to also make a career of it. His grandfather, Tony, was a blacksmith, but Tony was so young at the time that he didn’t understand his grandfather’s work.

Tony’s father, Pasquale, worked for Connecticut Steel for 25 years. When the company went out of business, Pasquale branched out on his own, founding American Iron Works, LLC, which is based in New Haven.

“When I was about 12 years old, I’d help my father out, but I used to tell him I’d help for now, but I wasn’t doing this for a living,” Tony says, laughing. “Now here we are. Eventually I decided I did like it and officially took over the business in 1982.”

That was the same year that Tony married Eileen. Five years later, the couple moved to East Haven from Morris Cove where Tony grew up. They built a home in the Morgan Point area as Tony has always enjoyed being near the water.

The couple raised their three children, Bianca, Tony, and Joseph, in town. Though all three children currently live in the area, Bianca and her husband, who is an ATF agent, are planning to move to Florida in the near future.

Growing up, both boys played hockey with the family often traveling for them to play. Joseph went on to play at Notre Dame-West Haven and then played junior hockey before deciding to join his dad at American Iron Works. Joseph went to welding school and learned from his dad.

“There’s a lot of learning on the job because there is no iron fabrication school,” says Tony. “Joey loves it and he’s totally dedicated. It’s nice to work with your son all day.”

Tony’s family has grown a lot in the past few years as he has five grandchildren under age three with another on the way. Bianca has twins, Tony has a daughter and is expecting a baby, and Joey has a son and a daughter.

Tony and his wife of 39 years enjoy going to the gym to work out and eating out. Eileen retired from the phone company and now works full-time with the Knights of Columbus. With no plans on his own retirement, Tony is trying to convince his wife to come work with him.

When Tony isn’t creating archways to be displayed on the Town Green, his work includes various iron fabrications such as railings, stairs, fences, and gates. Though the work is physically taxing and requires some serious tools—welding machines, torches, iron worker saws, and more—he not only enjoys creating pieces, but passing on his knowledge to a new generation.

“I took over from my father and my son is with me know,” says Tony. “There aren’t a lot of guys that do this. The work is very physical and it’s hard work, but it makes you feel like you accomplished something.

“When people look at or admire your work, it feels good,” adds Tony. “Now it’s nice to drive by the green every day and see something we did.”