Gildo Massó González (December 8, 1926 – January 15, 2007) was the founder and CEO of Masso Enterprises and the developer of the concept of "build it yourself" low-cost houses.
Early years
Massó was born and raised in San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico where he received his primary and secondary education. His parents were Rafael Massó Vázquez and Francisca González Padín. He was a hardworking young man who admired the Puerto Rican political leader Luis Muñoz Marín. He helped support his family by working in the local hardware store. After graduating from high school, he enrolled in the University of Puerto Rico.
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. In 1954 he established his first cinder block factory.
In 1959, Massó ventured into the construction business and built the Massó Subdivision in San Lorenzo. In 1961, he opened Caguas' Lumber Yard in Caguas. In 1967, the Massó Cement Factory moved to much larger facility in Gurabo.