GUIDED BY THE PRINCIPLE “IF YOU DO GOOD, GOOD WILL COME BACK TO YOU,” THIS NATIVE STATEN ISLANDER AND SECOND GENERATION OWNER OF A LEGACY CONTRACTING FIRM IS MAKING HIS MARK IN THE BOROUGH HE’S ALWAYS CALLED HOME

BY AMANDA McCOY PHOTOS BY AMESSE PHOTOGRAPHY

Peter Van Alphen Jr. isn’t motivated by status or praise. Humble and low-key, the motorcycle-riding, born-and-raised Staten Islander learned the value of honest, hard-knuckle work from his father, founder of Van Alphen Bros., Inc., a full-service concrete, paving, and masonry contracting company. While many of his peers were catching up on TV, Van Alphen Jr. spent his weekends learning how to mix and finish concrete, lay brick, or operate a dump truck. (He laughed while reminiscing on the time he was given detention for driving a dump truck to school.) After graduation in 1989, he joined the family business full-time, eventually taking over the reins as principal in 2000. His wife, Sandra, took over the office and all the duties that go into running a business successfully and efficiently.

“Throughout my years in business, I’ve learned you’re only as good as your last job,” noted Van Alphen Jr., who’s almost hesitant to mention his company’s five-star rating on Angie’s List as he believes success is something that’s continuously earned on a day-to-day basis. “Something I pride myself on is always doing the right thing, in business and in community service.”

Van Alphen Bros., Inc. specializes in a full range of construction, restoration, and hardscaping services, including demolition, design, installation, repair, inspection, and code violation assistance for both residential and commercial clients. Projects include pouring concrete, laying pavers, resurfacing roads, paving driveways, waterproofing, installation of retaining walls, and more. Since its inception in 1956, Van Alphen Bros., Inc. has grown organically over the years, primarily fueled by word of mouth. (Satisfied customers become repeat customers and share their experiences with colleagues and friends, who then call Van Alphen Jr. when they’re in need of a contractor.) Van Alphen Jr. explained he approaches every project with the same level of dedication and priority, noting that even the smallest jobs can often lead to significant opportunities in the future. “About 20 to 25 years ago, Staten Island University Hospital hired me to pour the concrete around a new auto mated island in one of their parking areas,” he said. “It went smoothly, so over the years, they continued to call me for piecemeal jobs: repair a sidewalk or fill a pothole, for instance. I always treated the hospital like a homeowner; they knew if they needed something, I would get the job done. The smaller jobs turned into larger jobs, like the recent façade and entrance remediation project. I was just awarded the three-year snow removal contract for the hospital’s North and South sites.”

As long-standing Staten Island residents, the Van Alphen family are all active members in the borough that raised them. In addition to supporting local churches, schools, and non profit organizations, Van Alphen Jr. is a member of the Cornerstones Chapter of the Widows Sons Masonic Riders Association. The group meets once a month, and when the weather warms, they embark on multi-day rides throughout the Northeast. They share an ardor for motorcycles and leather jackets, sure, but don’t let the “tough guy” exterior fool you: they are also passionate philanthropists. “We’re simply a group of guys who get together to ride, have some laughs, and do a lot of charity work,” noted Van Alphen Jr.

In 2018, one of the Cornerstones Chapter’s founding members, Danny Calemine, was introduced to SIUH’s plans to build a new, state-of-the-art cancer center, and he was especially galvanized by the pediatric wing. When he brought it back to the group, Van Alphen Jr. said they all jumped at the opportunity to help. “It’s so important to give back in our yard,” he continued. “Supporting the hospital spoke to us because when the members of our community need excellent healthcare, we want them to be able to stay close to home.”

In a grassroots effort, the group’s members rolled up their sleeves and got to work. They hosted a bowl-a-thon, and sold raffle tickets for grand prizes such as a motorcycle and all-expenses-paid trip to a New York Giants game. “It was bare-boned, knuckle work,” said Van Alphen Jr. “But these are guys who know how to work. When you give busy guys stuff to do, it gets done.”

The 40,000-square-foot Florina Cancer Center officially opened its doors last fall, and to date, the Masonic brothers have raised $70,000 for the cause, one $10 raffle ticket at a time. To commemorate their efforts, an honorary plaque displaying their names hangs in the Brian Halpin Pediatric Cancer Center.

“For 20 regular guys to be able to raise $70,000 was pretty incredible,” Van Alphen Jr. noted, beaming. “My parents taught me that if you do good things and put good out into the world, it always comes back. I’m extremely proud of what we were able to accomplish.”

The legacy initiated by Van Alphen Sr. lives on in his grandchildren, as well. Both of Van Alphen Jr.’s sons, Peter III (24) and Thomas (19), are now actively involved in the long-standing family businesses of construction and giving back.

Van Alphen Bros.

874 Richmond Road

718.273.3961 / vanalphenbrosinc.com