By CHRISTIE MASTRIC

Journal Staff Writer

MARQUETTE — Bruce Pesola, a lifelong Marquette resident and former entrepreneur, has gifted a parcel of land to St. Vincent de Paul-Marquette.

The parcel, which measures 25 feet by 140 feet, is contiguous to the St. Vincent de Paul property at 2119 Presque Isle Ave.

Pesola, former owner of the Landmark Inn in Marqette, said he had owned the house on the south side of the St. Vincent De Paul property, as well as a separate lot.

“When I sold the house, I kept the lot, thinking someday I’d build a tiny house or storage or something like that,” Pesola said. “I never did.”

He then approached St. Vincent de Paul about its possible interest in the land, but a deal never developed.

The situation recently changed when he looked at the property again.

“Why don’t I just give it to them?” Pesola thought.

He estimated the value of the land at $30,000.

Stephen Dupras, a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Revitalization Committee, said, “We at St. Vincent de Paul spend a lot of time assisting clients with needed services. When someone gives a gift that enhances our mission, it is so much appreciated, and this gift of adjacent property is priceless to us.”

Dupras said the St. Vincent de Paul property is landlocked, so it could either expand or move to another location. However, St. Vincent’s is happy with current site.

Karen Reese, district president of St. Vincent de Paul-Marquette, said the local district members are grateful to Pesola for his “generous” gift of land.

“In the coming months, the Marquette St. Vincent de Paul will begin fundraising to improve our physical plant and elevate the services we provide to the profile of the Marquette and Gwinn areas,” Reese said in a news release. “Mr. Pesola’s gift enhances our holdings and will help us to achieve the vision we have for the future.”

St. Vincent de Paul assists people with food, clothing, medical expenses, prescriptions, utility payments, and other items in Marquette and Gwinn.

Pesola said is a firm believer in the St. Vincent de Paul mission.

“I thought it was an appropriate thing to do,” he said about his donation. “And I did it.”

Christie Mastric can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 250. Her email address is cbleck@miningjournal.net.