COLLINSVILLE, Ill. – Zavaglia, Gregory J., 86, of St. Louis, Mo. died peacefully at home in the presence of his family on Thursday, Feb. 13.
He was born in Collinsville, Ill. to Italian immigrants Angelo and Theresa Zavaglia, the third of eight children, and grew to epitomize the American Dream. He graduated from Collinsville High School in 1956, served in the Army Reserves and then started his long career in construction.
Zavaglia started in the construction field by working first as a lather and then as a Carpenter for Blazier Company in East St. Louis, Ill. Eight years later, he was hired by Henges Company as a construction superintendent. When Henges was bought out by Guarantee Electrical in 1972, he was named vice president and general manager of the Guarantee Interiors division. Zavaglia left Guarantee to launch his own company, ICS Construction Services, in 1980. By 1986, ICS had paid off its seed loan, and in 1987, the company was included on the Top 25 list of companies in St. Louis. Zavaglia was awarded Entrepreneur of the Year in 1991.
Quick to describe himself as blessed, Zavaglia believed that God was behind his success. Even more than he loved his work, he loved his family, several of whom worked for ICS throughout the years. He enjoyed a good meal, good friends and a good round of golf. Many were recipients of his kindness and generosity.
Greg is survived by his much beloved wife of 64 years, Lorelei P. Zavaglia (nee Hoga); his daughter, Cynthia L. Zavaglia; his sons Michael G. Zavaglia (June) and Gregory S. Zavaglia (Cayce); grandsons Garrett Zavaglia (Kari), Shane Zavaglia, Jordan Zavaglia, Matteo Zavaglia, Rocco Zavaglia, Luca Zavaglia and Cody Hopkins (Sydnie); granddaughters Sophie Zavaglia (Haden), Raphaella Zavaglia and Kendall Holloway (Chris); great-grandsons Logan Zavaglia, Morris Smith and Haden Smith; and great-granddaughter Ada Zavaglia; sister Shirley Bostian; and sisters-in-law Cece Zavaglia, Judy Zavaglia and Carolyn Hoga.