Albert Michael Milani, 72, artisan and manufacturer

Albert Michael Milani, 72, of Willistown, president of Crescent Iron Works in Southwest Philadelphia, died of complications from an aneurysm Tuesday at Paoli Hospital.

Mr. Milani supervised the firm's fabrication and installation of steel components for major building projects in Philadelphia, and for the last decade had managed the renovation of the cast-iron roof cresting at City Hall.

In 1984, he collaborated with the sculptor Isamu Noguchi on the construction of Noguchi's 58-ton Bolt of Lightning. The sculpture honoring Benjamin Franklin, at the foot of the Ben Franklin Bridge, is composed of a four-legged steel base, an image of a key and a kite, and a 45-foot, stainless steel lightning bolt.

The company provided the steel structure for the National Constitution Center and the stanchions that support the Liberty Bell.

Mr. Milani was also involved in emergency repairs to the Academy of Music after two cracks were found in the building's roof in the spring of 1989. He kept multiple crews of ironworkers on the site around the clock for 17 days to complete repairs in time for a Philly Pops concert.

Mr. Milani had a hand in small jobs, too. He and other family members owned the Pasta Milani restaurant in Ardmore in the 1990s, and in 1996 they won an award for the restaurant's sign - red neon and letters atop a green neon bowl overflowing with spaghetti.

Until moving to Willistown in 1999, Mr. Milani had been a lifelong resident of Overbrook. He graduated from St. Joseph's Preparatory School and attended St. Joseph's University before joining Crescent Iron Works, which his father, Ulderico, cofounded in 1931. Mr. Milani and his brother Joseph eventually took over the business and in the early 1990s opened a second company, Crescent Designed Metals.

Though his son Chris, a son-in-law, and two nephews now run the business, he and his brother continued to be involved in operations, his family said.

In the 1970s, Mr. Milani and neighbors transformed the Greenhill Theater in Overbrook into a community center. His firm leveled the floor to make space for bingo, sports programs, and social events. From 1975 to 1985, Mr. Milani was active in the Catholic Youth Organization at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Overbrook, organizing ski trips, chaperoning dances and supervising teens when they painted the Overbrook train station red, white, and blue for the Bicentennial.

Mr. Milani was famous for his annual spaghetti and crab dinners at the Wildwood Yacht Club. He enjoyed summers at Wildwood Crest, tennis, cards, debating friends, and his grandchildren.

In addition to his son,  he is survived by his wife, Nancy; sons Albert, Daniel and Paul; daughters Anita Tanzola and Laura Betancourt; his brother; a sister; and 17 grandchildren.

Friends may call from 6:30 to 9 p.m. tomorrow and from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Monday at SS. Simon and Jude Church, 8 Cavanaugh Court, West Chester, where Mr. Milani sang in the choir. Burial will be in SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Marple Township.