PORT ST. LUCIE — Sansone Group, in partnership with the St. Lucie County Economic Development Council and the City of Port St. Lucie, recently unveiled the Tree of American Dreams sculpture at Legacy Park at Tradition.
The commemorative installation, created by local artist Geoffrey C. Smith, honors the life and legacy of Sansone Group founder Anthony F. Sansone Sr. and the principles that guided both his family and the company he built.
About 40 people attended the May 8 dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony, including community leaders, project partners, members of the Sansone family and Sansone Group representatives.
Located within Legacy Park at Tradition, the sculpture incorporates symbols representing the family’s history and values. Eight branches signify Sansone’s eight children, while the trunk represents his wife, Mary Anne Michaels Sansone, as the family’s foundation. Four roots symbolize the pillars most important to him — faith, family, community and country. A bald eagle at the top reflects the American Dream and the family’s immigrant journey.
The ceremony included remarks from Port St. Lucie Mayor Shannon Martin, Sansone Group Principal Nick Sansone and fellow principals Jim and Doug Sansone. Pete Tesch, senior adviser for strategic initiatives with the St. Lucie County Economic Development Council, provided opening comments.
Father Bowman of St. John of the Cross delivered a blessing before family members, city officials, Economic Development Council representatives and members of the Art Board participated in the ribbon cutting.
“Our father never separated faith, family, community and love of country. They were all connected,” Nick Sansone said. “This sculpture represents the values he lived by and the legacy that continues to guide our family and the communities we help build. It also is representative of so many who came to this country with nothing but a dream.”
Legacy Park is part of Tradition, a development spanning more than 5 million square feet. It was Anthony F. Sansone Sr.’s final development project before his death in April 2020. The Tree of American Dreams now serves as a permanent tribute to his vision, values and enduring impact on the community.