(May 18, 2023) – Colley Elevator Company announced today the passing of long-time owner Raymond Zomchek. A prominent figure in the elevator industry, Ray was instrumental in building the company to become one of Chicagoland’s largest independent elevator contractors. He was active in the NAEC and CEA, receiving the NAEC President’s Award in 2018.
Ray was born in a log cabin on June 13th, 1935, on a dairy farm in South Fork, Wisconsin. He joined the army and would go on to serve his country in Korea and Germany. After leaving the service, Ray made his way to Chicago to work at a casket factory while attending the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) on the GI bill. He then began his career in the elevator industry in 1959 at Gallaher & Speck as a draftsman.
Ray moved to Colley Elevator sixty years ago to do drafting and engineering during the construction boom of the 1960s and 70s. In 1973 he became a partner and moved the company to its present Bensenville, IL location. Ray then became the sole owner/operator from 1984 until 2007 when Dennis Jedd (now retired) and his son, Craig Zomchek, became partners in the business.
“Today we have lost another legend in our industry. After a total of 64 years in the business, my father was still thinking about elevators during his final days”, said Craig Zomchek, Ray’s son and the company’s Managing Partner, “He was from an era when men were made of steel and rails were made of wood. Since 1963, Ray was our steel at Colley Elevator.”
Ray is survived by his wife Pamm and children; Paul Zomchek, Kim Zobel, Brian Zomchek, Craig Zomchek and 7 grandchildren. Arrangements have not been announced.
