Gildo Massó
Encyclopedia
Gildo Massó González was the founder and CEO of Masso Enterprises and also the developer of the concept of "build it yourself" low cost houses.
where he received his primary and secondary education. He was a hard working young man who admired the Puerto Rican political leader Luis Muñoz Marín
. He helped support his family working in the local hardware store
. After graduating from high school he enrolled in the University of Puerto Rico
.
In 1959, Massó ventured into the construction business and built the "Massó Subdivision
" in San Lorenzo and in 1961, Massó opened "Caguas' Lumber Yard" in Caguas
. In 1967, the "Massó Cement Factory" moved to much larger facility in Gurabo
.
, Massó developed a concept of selling low cost houses, made out of wood, known as "Modelos Massó" or "Casas Massó" (Masso Models). The idea was to supply customers with the necessary elements to build a low cost home. The all inclusive packages included floor plans, building materials and construction loans.
In 1981, Massó acquired two "Carlos Armstrong Hardware Stores" in Ponce
and in 1983, he opened the "Cayey Home Center" in Cayey
. In 1984 Massó built 550 residences in San Lorenzo which is now known as "Massó City" and, in 1986, he built 67 residences in the Cerro Gordo sector of San Lorenzo.
In 1992, Massó introduced the new "Casas Massó" which are made of cement, with the same concept as the first models. In 1993, he set up a "Super Massó Hardware Store" consisting of 55,000 square feet (5,100 m²) and offering over 60,000 products in Caguas. In 1996, Massó Enterprises was involved in a project which built 169 residences in "Paseo San Lorenzo" and in 1997 Massó acquired six "Builder's Square Stores" in Caguas, Bayamon
, Carolina
, Ponce
and Mayaguez
. These were renamed "Plaza Massó".
In 1995, the Massó Hardware Store introduced "Auto-Express" in which the costumer used a "Drive Through" to make purchases. This concept increased sales by 15%. Gildo Massó introduced new models of the Casas Massó in 2001 and 2003. Massó Enterprises has over $65 million in annual sales. The company also has Training Center "Massó School" for all employees.
Devoted Catholic and to the fulfillment of his religious obligations, Gildo was a supporter and advocate of Cursillos de Cristiandad Movement for more than 40 years, both in the Archdiocese of San Juan and the Diocese of Caguas. He designed and generously directed the construction of both Casas de Cursillos in each diocesan community.
On January 15, 2007, Gildo Massó died from health complications during a routine medical checkup, in the Auxilio Mutuo Hospital of San Juan, Puerto Rico. He is survived by his wife Carmen Tuly Aponte and his two children Gildo and Tuly Massó.
Early years
Massó was born and raised in San Lorenzo, Puerto RicoSan Lorenzo, Puerto Rico
San Lorenzo is a municipality of Puerto Rico located in the eastern central region, north of Patillas and Yabucoa; south of Gurabo; east of Caguas and Cayey; and west of Juncos and Las Piedras. San Lorenzo is spread over ten wards and San Lorenzo Pueblo...
where he received his primary and secondary education. He was a hard working young man who admired the Puerto Rican political leader Luis Muñoz Marín
Luis Muñoz Marín
Don José Luis Alberto Muñoz Marín was a Puerto Rican poet, journalist, and politician. Regarded as the "father of modern Puerto Rico," he was the first democratically elected Governor of Puerto Rico. Muñoz Marín was the son of Luis Muñoz Rivera, a renowned autonomist leader...
. He helped support his family working in the local hardware store
Hardware store
Hardware stores, sometimes known as DIY stores, sell household hardware including: fasteners, hand tools, power tools, keys, locks, hinges, chains, plumbing supplies, electrical supplies, cleaning products, housewares, tools, utensils, paint, and lawn and garden products directly to consumers for...
. After graduating from high school he enrolled in the University of Puerto Rico
University of Puerto Rico
The University of Puerto Rico is the state university system of Puerto Rico. The system consists of 11 campuses and has approximately 64,511 students and 5,300 faculty members...
.
First Masso Hardware Store
In 1951, Massó opened his first hardware store, Ferretería Masso (Masso Hardware Store)in San Lorenzo, which became a successful venture. He married Carmen Tuly Aponte in 1953 and in 1954 Gildo established his first cinder block factory.In 1959, Massó ventured into the construction business and built the "Massó Subdivision
Urbanization
Urbanization, urbanisation or urban drift is the physical growth of urban areas as a result of global change. The United Nations projected that half of the world's population would live in urban areas at the end of 2008....
" in San Lorenzo and in 1961, Massó opened "Caguas' Lumber Yard" in Caguas
Caguas, Puerto Rico
Caguas , founded in 1775, is a city and municipality of Puerto Rico located in the Central Mountain Range of Puerto Rico, south of San Juan and Trujillo Alto, west of Gurabo and San Lorenzo, east of Aguas Buenas, Cidra, and Cayey....
. In 1967, the "Massó Cement Factory" moved to much larger facility in Gurabo
Gurabo, Puerto Rico
Gurabo is a municipality in eastern Puerto Rico located in the central eastern region, north of San Lorenzo; south of Trujillo Alto; east of Caguas; and west of Carolina and Juncos. Gurabo is spread over 9 wards and Gurabo Pueblo...
.
"Casas Massó"
In 1974, with the need of affordable housing in Puerto RicoPuerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
, Massó developed a concept of selling low cost houses, made out of wood, known as "Modelos Massó" or "Casas Massó" (Masso Models). The idea was to supply customers with the necessary elements to build a low cost home. The all inclusive packages included floor plans, building materials and construction loans.
In 1981, Massó acquired two "Carlos Armstrong Hardware Stores" in Ponce
Ponce, Puerto Rico
Ponce is both a city and a municipality in the southern part of Puerto Rico. The city is the seat of the municipal government.The city of Ponce, the fourth most populated in Puerto Rico, and the most populated outside of the San Juan metropolitan area, is named for Juan Ponce de León y Loayza, the...
and in 1983, he opened the "Cayey Home Center" in Cayey
Cayey, Puerto Rico
Cayey is a mountain town in central Puerto Rico located on the Central Mountain range, north of Salinas and Guayama; south of Cidra and Caguas; east of Aibonito and Salinas; and west of San Lorenzo Cayey is spread over 21 wards and Cayey Pueblo...
. In 1984 Massó built 550 residences in San Lorenzo which is now known as "Massó City" and, in 1986, he built 67 residences in the Cerro Gordo sector of San Lorenzo.
In 1992, Massó introduced the new "Casas Massó" which are made of cement, with the same concept as the first models. In 1993, he set up a "Super Massó Hardware Store" consisting of 55,000 square feet (5,100 m²) and offering over 60,000 products in Caguas. In 1996, Massó Enterprises was involved in a project which built 169 residences in "Paseo San Lorenzo" and in 1997 Massó acquired six "Builder's Square Stores" in Caguas, Bayamon
Bayamón, Puerto Rico
Bayamón is a municipality of Puerto Rico located on the northern coastal valley, north of Aguas Buenas and Comerío; south of Toa Baja and Cataño; west of Guaynabo; and east of Toa Alta and Naranjito. Bayamón is spread over 11 wards and Bayamón Pueblo...
, Carolina
Carolina, Puerto Rico
Carolina is a city located in the northern part of Puerto Rico, bordering the Atlantic Ocean; it lies north of Gurabo and Juncos; east of Trujillo Alto and San Juan; and west of Canóvanas and Loíza. Carolina is spread over 12 wards plus Carolina Pueblo...
, Ponce
Ponce, Puerto Rico
Ponce is both a city and a municipality in the southern part of Puerto Rico. The city is the seat of the municipal government.The city of Ponce, the fourth most populated in Puerto Rico, and the most populated outside of the San Juan metropolitan area, is named for Juan Ponce de León y Loayza, the...
and Mayaguez
Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
Mayagüez is the eighth-largest municipality of Puerto Rico. Originally founded as "Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria" it is also known as "La Sultana del Oeste" , "Ciudad de las Aguas Puras" , or "Ciudad del Mangó"...
. These were renamed "Plaza Massó".
In 1995, the Massó Hardware Store introduced "Auto-Express" in which the costumer used a "Drive Through" to make purchases. This concept increased sales by 15%. Gildo Massó introduced new models of the Casas Massó in 2001 and 2003. Massó Enterprises has over $65 million in annual sales. The company also has Training Center "Massó School" for all employees.
Later years
Gildo Massó was named "Business Man of the Year" in 2004 and the "VIP of the Week" by Chrysler Corp.Devoted Catholic and to the fulfillment of his religious obligations, Gildo was a supporter and advocate of Cursillos de Cristiandad Movement for more than 40 years, both in the Archdiocese of San Juan and the Diocese of Caguas. He designed and generously directed the construction of both Casas de Cursillos in each diocesan community.
On January 15, 2007, Gildo Massó died from health complications during a routine medical checkup, in the Auxilio Mutuo Hospital of San Juan, Puerto Rico. He is survived by his wife Carmen Tuly Aponte and his two children Gildo and Tuly Massó.