This year marks a big milestone for us at Fred F. Collis & Sons. We are proud to celebrate our 90th anniversary! Since 1936, caring for our customers like family has been at the heart of everything we do.
What began as a small, home-based business on Elm Street in Utica, NY has grown into a trusted, full-service home comfort company serving generations of families across Central New York. While our services have expanded over the decades, our values have remained the same.
From the very beginning, Fred F. Collis believed that doing the job right and treating people with respect mattered most. Alongside his wife Isabel, who handled bookkeeping and day-to-day operations, the foundation was set for a business rooted in hard work, integrity, and care. Those early days of oil delivery and furnace and pop heater repairs laid the groundwork for relationships that would last decades!
In the 1940s, with a small fleet of delivery trucks and a growing list of loyal customers, the company began building the reputation it carries to this day. By 1960, Fred’s sons Jim and John had joined the business, marking the start of a true family operation.
With each new generation, the business continued to evolve while staying true to its roots. Today, we are proud to have fourth-generation Collis family members working on our team! Over the years, customers who first relied on us have continued to place their trust in our team, often across multiple generations. That kind of loyalty is something we never take for granted.
We have always believed that being a good business means being a good neighbor. Our team members live and work in the communities we serve, from Utica and Whitesboro to Rome, Herkimer, Cooperstown, and Syracuse. Over 90 years, we have had the privilege of serving multiple generations of the same families, and that connection to our community is something we hold close.
Growth has allowed us to expand both our services and our reach. What started as a heating-focused business has evolved into a full-service home comfort company offering heating, air conditioning, indoor air quality, insulation, plumbing, and more. In 2021, we expanded further by opening an office in Syracuse, NY. With a larger service area, we are able to support even more communities while maintaining the personal, dependable service our customers expect.
Of course, none of this would be possible without our team. Throughout the years, we have been fortunate to work alongside dedicated, knowledgeable professionals who truly care about the people they serve. From our technicians in the field to our customer service team behind the scenes, every employee plays an important role in delivering the level of service our customers have come to trust. We are incredibly grateful for the commitment, skill, and pride our team brings to work every day.
Today, Fred F. Collis & Sons remains a family-owned and operated company, led by co-owners John, David, and Paul Collis, the third generation of the Collis family, who proudly carry forward the legacy that began in 1936. With fourth-generation family members also working on the team, the future of Fred F. Collis & Sons remains exactly what it has always been: a family business serving its community.
As we celebrate this major milestone, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to our customers and employees. Your loyalty and support have shaped who we are and allowed us to continue doing what we love – serving our neighbors with care and commitment. Here’s to 90 years and to many more years ahead!
