Frank D. Rich, Sr., born in 1896 in Casalvieri, Italy (near Naples), emigrated to America with his family in 1903. They joined friends and relatives to work in the sandstone quarries of Ridgway, Pennsylvania. Around 1908, in search of broader opportunities, the family moved to Stamford, Connecticut. There, they began to establish themselves as stone masons and general contractors. Around 1920, upon returning from serving his new country proudly in World War I, the F.D. Rich Company was officially established. Between 1920 and 1960, the Stamford based company, whose principal business was General Contracting, grew to become one of the largest and most active General Contractors in the nation. The company motto, "From Alaska to the Caribbean," described the extensive geographical scope of their operations. F.D. Rich Jr., joined the company in 1947 followed by his brother, Robert N. Rich, who joined the company later that same year. During this period, the company was engaged in building a wide variety of project types which included; schools, libraries, hospitals, factories, hangars, office buildings, shopping centers, hotels, flood control projects and all types of housing. The experience gained while building for others away from home was eventually brought to bear in the company's hometown in a major way. More