John Paz, founder of Godwin Pumps of America and president of Paz Brothers Construction, died last week at his Mickleton, N.J., home after a long illness. He was 76.

Paz founded Paz Brothers Construction in 1956 with two brothers. Based in Bridgeport, N.J., the company specializes in heavy construction, performing site work including excavation, grading and earthmoving for new development and restoration.

Paz founded Godwin Pumps of America in 1976. After renting pumps locally for his construction work, Paz looked into an automatic, self-priming pump manufactured in England and began importing the product to the U.S. Today Godwin, based in Bridgeport and Gloucestershire, U.K., is one of North America