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Thursday, March 23, 2023
 
 
P10642 - Sterling Construction Company Ltd. Courtesy of Richard Merlo
 
P10642- Sterling Construction Company Ltd. Courtesy of Richard Merlo
 

In 1913, Louis A. Merlo, Paul Merlo and John Ray (Re in Italian) founded Merlo, Merlo and Ray Construction Company. Although the company and subsidiaries folded during the Depression, these individuals later founded other construction companies in the area including River Sand Brick Company and Sterling Construction (incorporated by Louis A. Merlo) which lasted until 1981. Other companies such as Ready Mix (started by Louis Merlo Junior) and Ray and Sons Cement Contracting (sub-contracted to build Highway 401) were founded after Merlo, Merlo and Ray declared bankcruptcy in the 1930s.

 
P10643
 
P10677

P10643- Merlo, Merlo and Ray paving Albert Road in Windsor, 1920. Sterling Construction was founded by them as well, after the Depression. The company lasted until 1981. Courtesy of Richard Merlo
 
P10677a&b - Sterling Ready Mix. Courtesy of Richard Merlo
 
Louis A. Merlo (Senior), wanting to fit into Canadian society, never stressed his Italian heritage. His son, Louis Merlo junior, did not speak Italian (although he probably understood it). The same desire to be part of the whole of Canadian society led to the change of "Re" (the Italian spelling) to "Ray".
 
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The opinions and interpretations in this publication are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Government of Canada.

 

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