by Bea Peterson
David Begin, present owner of the Hoosick Falls Monumental Works, recently received a Citation from the NYS Assembly commending him for his part in keeping a Hoosick Falls business going for 125 years. Begin said, “I was born into the business.” His grandfather, Peter Begin, was a stone cutter. His father Antonio began cutting and carving memorials as a young man with an apprenticeship at the Ladrie Stoneshed, cutting and shaping round raised letters in granite. Begin said this was his father’s lifelong speciality. His uncle Raul was an expert in sand blast carving.
The Begin brothers were originally from Barre, VT, a town renowned in the granite industry. Begin still purchases monument stones from Barre. As a youngster David Begin was always working around his father and uncle. They instilled their philosophy in him. “They came to believe that a monument should be erected not because a man had died but because a man had lived. This was their business philosophy,” he said.
History
The Hoosick Falls Monumental Works was started in Hoosick Falls in 1886 by Timothy Hoctor in partnership with his cousin Stephen P. Hoctor. They provided monuments on a large scale to the entire vicinity and became widely known.
In 1936 The Hoosick Falls Monumental Works was obtained by the LaBrake family. In 1946 the Begin brothers purchased the business. It has been operated by the Begin family ever since. Begin began working with his father and uncle in earnest when he was in high school. In 1985 he bought his uncle out and worked alongside his father for a while. Begin’s wife Patricia is also associated with the business. And, at times, their sons Michael and Patrick have assisted them in carrying on the family business and philosophy. Together, Begin said, the family has created and sold some of the finest monuments in many area cemeteries, plus Vermont, the Capital District region and Massachusetts.
Changes
Begin has seen many changes in the business over the years. He has full size drawings from the 1940s done by draftsmen. These drawings were placed on the stone then rubbed so the image was transferred to the granite and then it was carved. Today, Begin said, the artwork, lettering and designs are on a computer and printed out. Begin still does carving and sand blasting. Though he continues to purchase the domestic granite from Barre, today it comes to him in precut shapes.
Begin is proud to say the business is still manufacturing quality granite and marble memorials in the same location between Church and Main Streets all these years later.
He feels the history of the Hoosick Falls Monumental Works, and the people who worked to keep the small town business thriving for 125 years, is certainly indicative of the entrepreneurial spirit of New York State.
Begin wants to see the business continue. He would like to find someone to take it over. He said he would work with them for a year or two, then he would step away from a business he has known his entire life.
Begin is currently working on a website with more information on The Hoosick Falls Monumental Works at www.hoosickfallsmonumental.com. He hopes to complete it soon.
