The man who singlehandedly ran the movie business on Guam for more than two decades died May 23 at Guam Memorial Hospital from kidney failure. He was 86.

Leo D. Slotnick built the Hafa Adai Theaters in Tamuning for Calvo Enterprises in 1972. He ran Universal Pacific Theaters as managing director until 1983 when he and Ely Del Carmen owner of a construction company formed ConRos Inc. to purchase the theaters and the surrounding properties from Calvo Enterprises. Universal Pacific expanded from three theaters to seven in 1971 by acquiring the Marianas Theaters from Ada’s Inc. and the Blumenfeld family. The Marianas Theaters were the Cinema Agana Theater and Dededo Theater.

Slotnick president and general manager of ConRos and Del Carmen developed the properties adjacent to the theaters into the Northwest Plaza the Cinema Plaza and the Hafa Adai Exchange Guam’s fancy flea market. The only non-military theater ConRos didn’t own was the Johnston Theater in Tamuning. The name ConRos was formed from the first names of their wives — Concepcion Slotnick and Rosario Del Carmen.

In 1997 Slotnick sold his half of all their partnership interests to Del Carmen for $3.5 million.

Slotnick a Wakefield Mass. native attended the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill N.C. He came to Guam in 1947 in charge of a construction camp for Pacific Island Engineers. From 1950 to 1971 he ran the island’s military liquor procurement center.

Slotnick also is credited with his eight-year tenure as chairman of the Guam International Airport Authority during the administration of Gov. Joseph F. Ada at the time the airport was undergoing its largest expansion and construction period.

Linda Andulan Slotnick’s administrative assistant for 35 years said “He was a real good businessman. And business comes first to him. No matter what. But you have to know the man to know he has a big heart. You come to him and he won’t let you down. He gives responsibility and does not look over your shoulder ” Andulan said.

“He selected few friends but they were dedicated to one another. When Eddie [Calvo] offered him the option to buy Universal Pacific Leo asked me what’s my comment. Then he said ‘You and I will turn it around.’ He gave me room to operate. We turned it from negative to millions ” Andulan said.

Slotnick is survived by his wife Connie and daughter Rosie. MBJ