Vettraino Family Celebrates Cranbrook Connection

The Vettraino family is hosting a small reception at Jonah fountain on July 20 at 4 p.m. The Vettraino connection to Cranbrook began in 1905 - not long after the Booths purchased the property - when Mike Vettraino, a newly arrived immigrant from Italy, was hired as a landscape gardener. Vettraino ultimately supervised a team of Italian laborers who were responsible for grading the landscape, developing the roads and pathways, and building the stone walls around the campus with rocks from the grounds. Vettraino settled at Cranbrook, married Michela Angelosanto and they raised six children, all but one of whom were born at Cranbrook. They ultimately settled at 1 Valley Way. Sons John and Dominick followed in their father's footsteps enjoying long careers at Cranbrook. A third son, Samuel, also worked at Cranbrook from 1936-1942. The family connection extended to a third generation in 1970 when John's daughter, Cecilia, was hired as a teacher at Brookside, where she remains today. In addition, Mike and Michela's daughter Connie continues to volunteer at the Institute of Science.

Three years before his death in 1958, Vettraino was recognized for his contributions to Cranbrook when the Piazza Vettraino between Brookside and Thornlea was named in his honor.

To acknowledge the family's contributions, The Vettraino Family Fund was established for the purpose of sustaining the Vettraino Family memory and to honor their history of involvement with Cranbrook. Contributions to the fund will assist with various landscape projects around the campus.

The Cranbrook Community is invited to join family members on July 20 to celebrate the family's legacy.