Stonemason's son recalls Sydney Harbour Bridge opening on 90th anniversary

Al Geronimi's father, William, worked as a stonemason on the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. (Supplied)

Al Geronimi was seven years old when he took his mother's hand and became one of the first people to walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge on its opening day in 1932.

Surely one of few people left to tell stories as the landmark prepares to celebrate its 90th birthday on Saturday, Mr Geronimi admits his memories of the day have faded somewhat.

Al Geronimi couldn't be more proud of the contribution his father made to the bridge. (Supplied)

"I can't remember terribly much," he said.

"But I can recall when Mother took me onto the bridge with my twin brother.

"It was absolutely crowded. We just walked across the bridge and that was that.

"But I can clearly, clearly remember Mother taking one hand and my twin brother the other.

"We walked and as soon as we finished, we went home."

William Geronimi, a stonemason, worked on pylons for the bridge in the town of Moruya. (Supplied)

Dad worked on granite pylons

But Mr Geronimi's connection with the bridge goes back further than the opening ceremony.

Al Geronimi treasures his father's hammer, which was used in the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. (Supplied)

In the years leading up to 1932, his father William worked as a senior stonemason on the bridge pylons.

William Geronimi went to work on the far New South Wales South Coast and was away from his wife and children in Sydney for months at a time.

"They worked at Moruya in the quarries for quite a few years, shaping the granite pylons for the Harbour Bridge," Mr Geronimi said.

"She was a wonderful person — she would cope with anything."

Moruya's role in helping build the Sydney Harbour Bridge

Special experience for migrant family

Remembering his father, who moved to Australia from northern Italy in 1922, Mr Geronimi still feels proud of his place in history.

"It was just a different experience altogether, being amongst all those people and knowing that my father was part of the group," he said.

That pride has extended down the family tree.

Now 97, Mr Geronimi has four sons and is a grandfather and a great-grandfather.

He says the the family loves listening to stories about William.

"Especially the two youngest," he said.

"They're very interested."

Mr Geronimi's memories of the opening are hazy, but he remembers looking down at the water below. (Supplied)

Heirlooms that remain are cherished

Mr Geronimi, who has lived in South West Rocks on the NSW Mid North Coast for more than 50 years, said some of the family's memorabilia from William's time working on the Sydney Harbour Bridge had been lost.

But the heirlooms that remain are cherished by the family.

"I've got photos of Dad working on the granite," Mr Geronimi said.

"There's a photo of a team of men and there's a photo of Dad on his own.