Michael E. Laino

Michael E. Laino, 77, recently residing at The Christian Health Care Center, Wyckoff, NJ (formerly of Washington Township and Paramus NJ) passed away on June 27, 2021. Beloved husband of the late Marianne Laino (nee Kinlin). He is survived by his sons, Michael A. Laino and his wife Lucretia Laino (nee Fasciano) and Robert J. Laino and his wife Rosemary Laino (nee Rocco) and three grandchildren Nicolas, Joseph and Samantha Laino. He is also survived by his brothers Anthony M. Laino and his wife Arlene and Paul J. Laino and his wife Helene. Brother-in-Law of Joseph Kinlin and his wife Margaret, and his nephews, nieces and friends.

Michael was an avid golfer and passionate sports fan. He enjoyed playing golf with friends and family as often as he could. What brought Michael the most joy was spending time with his family and playing with his 3 grandchildren.

Michael was born in Weehawken, NJ and moved with his parents and brothers to Hackensack, NJ in 1951. He was a 1962 graduate of Bergen Catholic High School and a 1966 graduate of Stevens Institute of Technology. Upon graduating from Stevens, he became a licensed New Jersey Professional Engineer at the age of 23.

After working at Curtis Wright Corporation inspecting aircraft engines, he joined his parents, Paul and Helen Laino and his brother Anthony in what was then a small window supply/repair business. A few years later his younger brother, Paul Jr., joined them and together they built a successful window manufacturing company, SWS Industries. SWS completed hundreds of K-12 window replacement projects as well as major new construction projects such as the entire Glenpointe project in Teaneck, NJ. In 1982 SWS was awarded and completed the window replacement at the famed Plaza Hotel in New York City. In 1984, the brothers decided to sell SWS and after negotiating with several interested purchasers entered a sale with the Reading Company and the deal closed in July 1984.

Following the sale of SWS Industries, Michael and his two brothers continued to develop both residential and industrial real estate. One of their residential projects included Washington Commons in the Township of Washington, which consisted of 126 townhouse units which made it one of the largest townhouse projects completed in Bergen County at that time. Other residential projects included Colonial Village in Hillsdale, NJ, Windham North Townhomes in Wyckoff, NJ and Regal Arms Apartments in North Bergen, NJ. After several years of attending planning board meetings, the Laino brothers received approval to develop a 50+ acre tract in the Borough of Allendale which they named the Allendale Corporate Center. Allendale Corporate Center is one of the finest Corporate Parks in NJ and over the years some of their tenants included Sanyo Corporation, Fuji, Toshiba and Bosch. In addition, they built and sold a 118,000 square foot building for Playtex Corporation which Playtex still occupies.

In 1995 the Laino brothers (with their children) decided to re-enter the window manufacturing business. Michael then co-founded Architectural Window Manufacturing Corporation which has since become a major nationally recognized manufacturer of high-performance windows and doors. They are currently replacing approximately 5,500 windows at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City. Architectural Window currently occupies approximately 190,000 square feet in Rutherford, NJ and employs approximately 300 people.

In 1995 while planning and designing their new window product line Michael discovered European Technology that was not being used to any extent in the United States. This process known as Thermal Strut technology improves thermal performance and also allows for the windows to have a different color on the inside and outside and was the basis of the entire Architectural Window product line which was introduced in 1996. Although the large national window manufacturers scoffed at this process, today virtually all of them have changed their product lines to include thermal strut technology. Michael’s brothers proudly state that it was Michael’s insight and engineering skills that changed the direction of the entire United States aluminum window manufacturing business.

The family will receive their relatives and friends at Becker Funeral home, 219 Kinderkamack Road, Westwood on Wednesday from 4-7 pm. A funeral mass will be held on Thursday at 10:00 am at Our Lady of Good Counsel R.C. Church, Twp. of Washington, followed by an entombment in Garden of Memories.