En mémoire : Gregory D. DeCola (Greg DeCola Sr.)

Gregory D. DeCola (Greg DeCola Sr.) of Congers, NY, a lifelong elevator man in NYC who was passionate about the profession, passed away on July 27 at age 89. Described as an elevator industry "legend," DeCola Sr. was the father of Greg DeCola Jr. of VDA and grandfather of Greg DeCola III of Start Elevator. The senior DeCola began his elevator industry career in the 1950s when demand for commodities like steel dropped after World War II, leading to the closure of the New Jersey mill for which he worked. He soon found a professional home with State Elevator (later acquired by Otis), where he worked his way up from helper to mechanic to foreman to, eventually, supervisor. A witness to a sea change in both industry safety standards and technology, DeCola retired after a long career that saw him transition into elevator consulting and inspecting. He was an active member and past-president of the Sons of Italy Rockland Lodge 2176. "Above all, he was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend and will be missed by all who knew him," his obituary states. In lieu of flowers, donations in DeCola Sr.'s memory may be made to the Gregory DeCola Memorial Scholarship Fund in care of Sons of Italy Rockland Lodge 2176, P.O. Box 223, Blauvelt, NY 10913.