A Legacy of Craftsmanship and Pride
George V. DeVito Master Carpenter extends old-world craftsmanship, artistry and ethics to a new generation of projects
“I think construction was always in our family’s DNA,” states George V. DeVito. “I learned the business from my father. Being a carpenter is probably all I wanted to do anyway growing up.”
From entering his apprenticeship program at age 16 to working with his dad, to operating his own successful carpentry and contracting business for the last 20 years, the Owner of Medford-based George V. DeVito Master Carpenter Inc. (GVDMC inc.) can’t imagine a more appropriate and fulfilling career. That’s especially since his son, Dylan, joined the business five years ago, representing the third generation to become a carpenter.
DeVito’s grandparents and uncle came to New York from the Sant’Angelo dei Lombardi region of Italy. His father, the first generation born here, started learning the business working with his uncle.
“My uncle arrived with $1.25 in his pocket, but he was smart, a hard worker and he started building houses,” DeVito says. “It was the work ethic we learned from parents who came from that Depression Era. You worked hard and you achieved the American dream. When my father came back from World War II, he and my uncle started doing carpentry full time.”
“My father had a little shop in the basement. When I was growing up, all I ever wanted to do was build things, and that proved to be a good thing,” he recalls. “I was going to school, doing my apprenticeship program in the evenings and working summers as a carpenter’s apprentice. The good thing about that journey was learning a lot of different disciplines in carpentry and construction—from framing and foundation work to heavy construction. Later, as my father was getting close to retirement, I worked with him on pretty much every bridge on the Northern State Parkway.”
A Lifelong Learner
DeVito first landed at Stern’s department stores, where he worked for 14 years. He was fortunate to learn the entire millwork trade from two exceptional German craftsmen who had previously built pianos for Steinway & Sons.
“I learned a lot of my skill sets there: how to apply all the veneers; how to use a hand scraper to plane the veneers down; and how to use hand tools properly—like hand saws, chisels and planes,” he says. “I was always interested in learning more. I still am to this day.” He feels very fortunate to have had three or four great mentors along the way who helped shape him into the person he is today. They guided him through the various disciplines of carpentry and taught him to be a good steward in his community by helping out wherever possible.
Once Stern’s went out of business, DeVito had to figure out what was next. Using the skills he developed working under the German craftsmen, he had established a side business doing high-end residential work. Next, he spent several years installing science labs in schools, hospitals and pharmaceutical facilities, providing retail store fit-out construction and continuing to work on residential projects.
At that point, he went into business for himself, starting out small doing residential carpentry out of his house. In time, GVDMC inc. began attracting more commercial work and adding employees, which prompted the move to its current building on Station Road. Over two decades, the business has expanded beyond carpentry and its signature millwork and custom cabinetry services to encompass commercial, residential, institutional and retail construction. It is now the largest tenant in its building.
“When you’re a small company, you have to wear a lot of hats and operate very lean,” DeVito asserts. “The key is to have really good employees who are well-versed in things, who are smart and who can solve problems quickly. I always say that we’re everything a large company is, but in miniature. We provide customers with a one-stop shop that can construct their building, make their furniture, put up their drywall and ceilings, and do everything else. But, because we’re smaller, we’re more attuned to service. We learn how our clients operate and put plans in place so that a renovation won’t disrupt their business.”
Taking Pride in Restoration Projects
The projects that bring DeVito the most satisfaction are restorations, and he and his team have been fortunate to work on several. “First and foremost, with restoration you have to appreciate the craftsmen who came before you and respect their work. When you do, your work will become an extension of history,” he says.
The first project he cites is the reconstruction of the 1869 Wellhouse built in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park. It was the last surviving structure at the park designed by American landscape architects Frederic Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, who were renowned for co-designing New York City’s Central Park and Prospect Park. Through this extensive transformation, the historic Wellhouse was repurposed into a comfort station with composting toilets. Today, it’s one of the city’s most environmentally friendly and attractive public restrooms.
Initially, due to their expertise in carpentry, GVDMC inc was approached to reframe the existing roof. DeVito says the goal was to salvage it and preserve its historical accuracy with new lumber milled down to match the existing specifications. However, its role on the $2.34 million project kept expanding, extending to the windows and the detailed portico, which is now painted in period-appropriate colors.
He considers restoring the Wellhouse’s historic design elements as respecting how things were done a long time ago. “When you respect the trade and the craft, then put your own spin on it, you’re paying homage to the people before you while striving to provide a more modern version of that,” he says. “That’s the great thing about what we do; the Wellhouse will last another 100 years or more. Even though our names may not be written down on some plaque, we know we had a hand in preserving that history and keeping it for another generation to see. What we’re doing is leaving a lasting footprint—leaving a little piece of us in everything we do, which is kind of amazing.”
A Challenging Desk Duty
In 2018, the New York Police Department (NYPD) 120th Precinct in Staten Island completed an 18-month renovation. DeVito and his team were subcontracted to restore a beat-up but beloved sergeant’s desk that was at least 100 years old. And, the restoration had to be historically accurate.
Once in the shop, the carpentry team examined the myriad moldings on the massive desk and determined what had to be made and replaced. “We had little pieces here or there to work from, and those were the things that told the story. It was up to us to put it all back together,” he explains.
They had to create special cutters to match all the existing components that were missing. Then they made new panels and trim to bring the century-old example of skilled craftsmanship back to life. DeVito considers what they did honoring the people who’d built the original.
“This is the best part of doing what we do,” DeVito says. “Whether you’re building a house or a piece of furniture, when you walk away at the end of the day you can actually see something that you can feel good about. Then, when you do something that’s new or maybe out of your comfort zone—and you excel at it—that’s even better. Very few professions provide that sense of accomplishment.”
Continuing the Family Legacy in Building
DeVito’s daughter, Nicole, worked in the family business throughout high school and college—doing everything from office work to learning millwork, producing drawings and performing engineering functions. She studied architecture at New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) before pivoting to design.
“One thing I’ve always taught my kids is that you’ve got to do what you love to do, because if you can do that, you’ll never be working a day in your life,” DeVito says. “You’ll always enjoy going to work. You’ll always find a way to make a living at it.”
From an early age, Dylan worked with his father on the weekends when he could. He ultimately chose to join GVDMC inc. and embark on his own five-year millwork apprenticeship program to carry on the family tradition. Both benefit from this blend of hands-on and formal education as Dylan learns tips and tricks in school that may be new to his father. “It’s good because we play off one another,” DeVito says. “He’s learning new things, so we’re kind of teaching each other.”
DeVito keeps Dylan focused on learning the business, how to work with the tools and products, and tracking the amount of time tasks require. He assures his son that the rest will come with time.
“Life is like a circle. Whenever I’ve learned something, I always remember who taught it to me and associate it with that person, even if they’re not on this earth anymore,” DeVito concludes. “When I share something I’ve learned with my son or another young person, I tell them the story about that individual or how I learned this particular skill. What better way to honor somebody than by taking what you know and passing it on?”