Raymond F. LeChase

Raymond F. LeChase was a true visionary in the Rochester construction community. He took pride in making personal and professional connections with customers and employees. This practice is emulated by the company to this day.

Raymond F. LeChase was born in 1913 to Giacomo and Civita LeChase in Rochester, New York. Raymond started working as a water boy at the age of 14 for A. Fredericks & Son and rapidly worked his way to become a superintendent.

Raymond married Rachel Palumbo in 1943, and one year later, a son, Raymond Wayne was born. Following Wayne’s birth, two daughters were born, Gloria and Eleanor. Their three children went on to extend the LeChase family to include many beloved grandchildren and great grandchildren.

In 1944, Raymond founded LeChase Construction Company, filling the demand for local construction work during World War II. Raymond’s beginnings as a businessman were modest. He personally drove workers to job sites, while Rachel handled payroll and accounting. Raymond’s first major project, a $90,000 contract with the Kanty Paper Company, was to construct a production center for assembling paper boxes located on Carter Street in Rochester, New York.

R. Wayne LeChase, a practicing attorney, joined the firm in 1975 and succeeded his father as President in 1981. Raymond remained as Chairman of the company overseeing projects and providing guidance and valuable advice for the remainder of his life. Raymond visited job sites daily and took great pride in the construction process.

Raymond built the company on family and strong moral values. This practice continues today. Raymond believed that dedication, loyalty and hard work, of both, employees and management, working together, had and will continue to motivate and provide the “success culture” necessary to maintain a controlled and successful growth.

LeChase Construction interests are not restricted to their own operation. They believe in taking responsibility for improving the quality of life in their community. Raymond was personally involved with many community service organizations and boards including: the Rochester War Memorial Commission, Brighton Rotary, New York State Urban Development Corporation – Board of Commissioners, Nazareth University Board of Trustees and President’s Steering Committee, University of Rochester Advisory Committee, Rochester Area Multiple Sclerosis Advisory Committee, and the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce.

Raymond was 95 years of age when he passed away, at home with his loved ones. He will always be remembered as an honorable businessman, husband, father, grandfather, friend, colleague and community advocate. He will always be dearly missed.