NRC selects Cosmo Lawrence Laurello for Hall of Fame

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor

The National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Hall of Fame Selection Committee unanimously selected Cosmo Lawrence Laurello, known as Larry, Sr., as this year's only entrant into the NRC Hall of Fame, who will be honored at the 2016 NRC Conference in San Diego, Calif.

 

Laurello was born August 27, 1938, in Ashtabula, Ohio. He was a 1956 graduate of Ashtabula High School and married his wife, Ida, in 1958 in Italy. Laurello returned to the United States after getting married to finish his degree at the University of Notre Dame, where he finished his degree in Civil Engineering in 1961. He and his wife had three boys, Larry, Michael and Paul.

Larry worked for Koppers until joining his father at Delta Railroad Construction in 1965. He continued to work with his father and mother until his father’s passing in 1979, when he became president and chief executive officer of Delta Railroad Construction.

The NRC notes that Larry was a driving force at Delta, known for his ability to look at problems and find solutions that were good for the customer, the employees and the company. He taught this to his sons and grandchildren and, today, Delta continues to do work that he would be proud of. Although Laurello had FSH muscular dystrophy, he never allowed his disability to stop him. He was able to live and teach through others, especially his sons.

“Larry was respected for his utmost integrity and honesty in all aspects of his life. He was a humble man, unwilling to take credit or receive recognition for the many contributions he made to assist those in need,” stated the NRC. “His greatest joy was his family and the many workers that he also considered his family. He committed his life to helping others, never asking for anything in return. His friends and family say he was ‘the epitome of kindness’.”

For all of the reasons above, the NRC says it is honored to induct Laurello into the NRC Hall of Fame.

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