One of the most distinctive structures in Cranberry's Graham Park -- the bridge over Brush Creek -- has been named in honor of a man and a family who made it their business to contribute to the township they loved.

The 50-foot concrete bridge with a decorative stone facade has been named in honor of Ralph Mashuda, who died in February 2010 of a stroke at the age of 60. He was president of Mashuda Corp., located on Route 19 in Cranberry.

Mr. Mashuda's construction company performed earth-moving work in 2008 at the Graham Park site. "That work was valued at $1 million, and it came at a critical time when we were trying to figure out how to fund what we wanted to do at Graham Park," said township engineer Jason Kratsas.

The park opened last spring.

Supervisors wanted to acknowledge Mr. Mashuda's contribution "in a big way," Mr. Kratsas said. Naming the bridge in his honor seemed a good fit. "It's a prominent feature of the park," he said.

A bronze memorial plaque reading the Ralph Mashuda Memorial Bridge was dedicated last Thursday at a public ceremony.

Unveiled by his widow, Dolores, the plaque reads: "Dedicated to the memory of Ralph Mashuda -- earth-mover, motorcycle enthusiast, community benefactor, Cranberry business owner of the year -- who continued his family's legacy of generosity and was instrumental in the construction of Graham Park."

In 2009, Mashuda Corp. was honored by the Cranberry Area Chamber of Commerce and Cranberry Township Community Chest for its dedication and devotion to the township.

The company played a role in dozens of community projects large and small since moving to Cranberry from Milwaukee in 1955 to build the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Those projects included site work at Graham Park, St. Ferdinand Church and at the Route 19 Community Park, where the entrance to the park is named Ernie Mashuda Drive, after Ralph's uncle.

Supervisor Bruce Mazzoni commented at the ceremony Thursday: "As long as they were in the building business, [the Mashuda Corp.] helped build Cranberry, too. Ernie Mashuda Drive in Community Park is an early example. Ralph Mashuda carried on that family legacy." He referenced Ralph's somewhat "unconventional" passions -- motorcycles, heavy machinery among them. "His passions were larger than life," Mr. Mazzoni said.

Among his holdings was an Indian Motorcycle franchise on Route 19 in Cranberry.

First Published: May 12, 2011, 10:00 a.m.