Russell Masetta wants you to know something, so zip it and listen: He founded the Nature Stone flooring business in 1988 on the principles of determination and family loyalty. So just forget about all this kick-backing mafia stuff that happened for all the years right before that, you understand? Or do you need it explained in person?
The founder of the Bedford business sprung for a half-page ad in Sunday’s Plain Dealer to tell half the story of his upbringing. The ad, which had to have cost several thousand dollars, featured a story about his father, Andrew “YAYA” Masetta — local slow-pitch softball hero and cement finisher — who gave his son a start in the construction business at a time when he needed the incognito time.
When Andrew passed in 2004, Russell incorporated “YAYA” into his business logo (so small that PD designers had to use the symbol of a magnifying glass to point out that it was right there, under the “E” in NATURE STONE). It’s a lovely story, though, for an advertisement.
Scene is nervous but duty-bound to fill in some blanks.
This article appears in Jun 17-23, 2009.
Sometimes you HAVE to pay for the truth to come out! I have known this man since he was 19 years old. He was never part of the “Mob.” Just a good, hardworking decent man, husband and father! I also knew his father and knew how much he loved him and wants to pay tribute to the man!
I remember relocating from south Louisiana to Los Angeles Ca and receiving a weldeing job at Wyle Lab in El -Segundo there I met Mr Massetta he was over our union The Teamster’s. Local 848. He was a great guy to know very fair.I’ll never forget how he told some of our employees they can get mad all they want. But I will be getting some of the unused money too…..However before that; he came over by me and ask why I’m setting off alone. Everytime he came to our company he would come talk to me..by the way I am black