Lelio 'Les' Marino

MARINO

Lelio ‘Les’ Marino, founder of Cambridge, Mass-based Modern Continental Construction Co. Inc., died suddenly Nov. 12 at his home in North Reading. He was 69 years old.

Marino immigrated to America in 1958 from Chieti, Italy, and founded Modern in 1967. He took it from a small road and drainage contractor to the largest heavy-civil firm in New England (ENR 3/2/98 p. 30).

Marino’s big break was in 1996 when Boston’s $14.6-billion Central Artery/Tunnel project started. Modern ultimately won over $3 billion in CA/T work. The firm currently is wrapping up five projects worth about $400 million.

Modern consistently ranked among ENR’s Top 400 Contractors and tried to expand into the southeastern and western markets to compensate for the wrap-up of CA/T. In late September, Modern executives announced plans to merge with Quincy, Mass-based Jay Cashman Inc.

Marino was a disciplined manager who rose every day at 3:30 a.m, to do a 90-minute workout and be on the job by 7:00 a.m. Besides Modern, Marino also had many other business interests. His management style was best summarized in his own words: "The manager must serve the company and the company must serve the employees. Nothing else works."