Community-minded movie theater owner Leo Marubio remembered

Leo J. Marubio is being remembered as a “constant, reliable presence” who developed three movie theaters in the Northwest suburbs and was active in community affairs in and around his home town of Libertyville.

A U.S. Army veteran, Marubio, who passed away Sunday at the age of 90, began his professional life as a civil engineer, working at Signode Steel, U.S. Gypsum, Johnson Outboards and Abbott Laboratories. He left that career to open and operate, along with his wife Joan, three movie theaters, starting with the Palwaukee Movies in Wheeling Township in 1975, followed by the Mundelein Cinema in Mundelein and Prospect Theater in Mount Prospect. All are now closed.

“It's hard to put into words how steady of a person he was. He was just a very constant, reliable presence,” Mary Cay, Marubio’s daughter, said. “Whether he was your boss at the theater, or a family member or a co-worker. He was quick with a joke. He was supportive. They just don't don't make guys like this anymore.”

The movie theaters played a large role in his family life, according to Joan and daughters Mary Cay and Lisa. They noted the significance of the Mundelein Cinema as an integral part of their upbringing after the family settled in Libertyville in 1976.

“We've been reminiscing a lot over the last few days as you can imagine, and a lot of our memories are tied to the movie theaters. All of the kids worked there. My parents literally built it with their own two hands, laying tile and carpet in the lobby of our first theater,” Mary Cay said. “For this family, there was something for everyone at that theater, whether it was a favorite movie or a favorite experience. There was a range of films from Disney movies to a weekly Rocky Horror Show, but it was a really special place that I think uniquely bonded us.”

Marubio grew up in Chicago and attended St. Mary of the Lake Grammar School and DePaul Academy. He received a degree in civil engineering from Marquette University. He met Joan Colver at a dance in 1959, and they married in 1962. According to his obituary, “Leo made Joan laugh every day for over 61 years.”

His daughter Lisa said the family has received texts from high school friends who worked at the theater and said they loved having him as their first boss because he was kind and helpful.

In addition to his wife, Marubio is survived by their four children, Regina, Michael, Lisa and Mary Cay, as well as six grandchildren.