Contractor Carl Lizza Jr. dies

Carl Lizza Jr., founder of Roslyn-based Lizza Industries, a heavy construction firm that worked on projects throughout Long Island and the metropolitan area, has died of natural causes in Rockaway, N.J. He was 73.

Lizza Jr. spent most of his life working in the construction industry after starting his own firm in 1968.

His nephew, Frank Lizza of Oyster Bay, said his uncle "loved being active. He wasn't a retired person. Every day of his life was full steam." He said Carl Lizza Jr. still had his hand in several asphalt plants, an oil company and projects in New York, New Jersey and South Carolina.

The firm -- and asphalt companies it owned -- were involved in residential and industrial construction, road and sewer building and re-creation of the Stonebridge Golf Links and Country Club in Hauppauge.

In 1984, Lizza Industries Inc. was convicted of federal bid-rigging charges and was assessed $1,052,000 in forfeitures and fines. For three years after that, the firm was banned from bidding on federal or state contracts.

One of five children, Lizza grew up in Oyster Bay and graduated from Oyster Bay High School and Dickinson College.

While dedicating himself to his business ventures, he also maintained a close working relationship with his employees, his family said.

"He was enormously successful but that wasn't what motivated him. He wanted those around him to join him in that success," said John Lizza, another nephew, in an obituary he wrote for his uncle. "His true career secret was his ability to inspire and motivate those around him."

Frank Lizza said, "He was a very dynamic person. He liked being around young people and thrived off their energy."

One of Carl Lizza Jr.'s passions was thoroughbred horse racing. He owned a racing stable, Flying Zee Stables, as well as a 600-acre horse breeding farm, Highcliff Farm, and two of his horses had run in the Kentucky Derby.

Along with his wife, Viane of Rockaway, N.J., Lizza is survived by his brothers, Frank of Dix Hills and Aly of Oyster Bay; and a sister, Lorraine Rose of Southold. His brother Nicholas is deceased.

A funeral Mass was offered at St. Dominic Church in Oyster Bay yesterday and burial followed at Cemetery of the Holy Rood in Westbury.