ICS Founder Greg Zavaglia, 86, Dies
Date Posted: February 24, 2025
Posted In: People,
From Bopp Chapel: Zavaglia, Gregory J., 86, of St. Louis, Missouri, died peacefully at home in the presence of his family on Thursday, February 13, 2025.
Greg was born in Collinsville, Illinois to Italian immigrants Angelo and Theresa Zavaglia, the third of eight children, and grew to epitomize the American Dream. Greg graduated from Collinsville High School in 1956, served in the Army Reserves, and started his long career in construction. He began by “working with the tools” first as a lather and then as a carpenter for Blazier Company in East St. Louis. Eight years later, he was hired by Henges Company as a construction superintendent.
When Henges was bought out by Guarantee Electric Company in 1972, Greg was named vice president and general manager of the Guarantee Interiors division. Greg 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 receiving the St. Louis Small Business Award. Greg was awarded Entrepreneur of the Year in 1991. Quick to describe himself as “blessed,” Greg 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.