obituary
In Memoriam: Thomas Stack
Vertical-transportation consultancy VDA, Inc., announced the passing of industry pioneer Thomas Stack in November 2024. Stack was one of VDA's original four owners following the purchase from John Van Deusen...
In Memoriam: Gelestino’s Namesake Father
Donald Gelestino, father of Champion Elevator Corp. President Donald Gelestino, passed away on November 1 at home surrounding by loved ones after a period of declining health. A native of...
In Memoriam: Francis “Frank” Ferrara
Francis "Frank" Ferrara, a retired state of Massachusetts elevator inspector, passed away on September 29, 2024, at the age of 70. Ferrara, of Burlington, Massachusetts, became a licensed elevator technician...
In Memoriam: Paul T. Beisser
Paul T. Beisser, who began his distinguished career in the elevator industry as an International Union of Elevator Constructors helper in 1962, passed away on August 20 at age 84....
In Memoriam: Peter Lycett
Peter Lycett, former managing director at London's International Lift Equipment Ltd. (ILE), passed away in November 2023 at age 55. Lycett was in the industry for 37 years (1985-2022), and...
In Memoriam: John Fichera
John Fichera, co-founder of NYC-based TEI Group, passed away on April 3 at his home in Moorestown, New Jersey. Fichera built a successful career in the elevator industry, starting as...
In Memoriam: Walter Rubén González
The Argentine and international vertical-transportation (VT) sectors mourn Walter González´s passing. He founded Soimet SA in 1969 together with his dearest friend Nicolás Vrdoljak. In 1980, they obtained a European...
In Memoriam: Joe Seidl
Joe Seidl, who spent more than 30 years in the elevator industry and was an employee of Salisbury, Maryland-based Delaware Elevator, Inc., passed away in December 2023 at age 73....
In Memoriam: James “Mr. Jim” McKinley
James "Mr. Jim" McKinley, a longtime employee of Salisbury, Maryland-headquartered Delaware Elevator, Inc., passed away on February 9 after 64 years in the industry. McKinley knew every aspect of the...
In Memoriam: James F. “Jim” Driscoll
James F. "Jim" Driscoll, founder, owner and past-president of Atlantic Elevator Service, based in Avon, Massachusetts, passed away surrounded by his family on January 24 at the age of 80...
