History of Company

Fortunat Lajeunesse, around the turn of the century, opened a construction business principally devoted to heavy construction (roads and bridges) and hauling in Cohoes, N.Y. Joined by his brother Didauce, Fortunat's business grew significantly following World War I until the years of the depression slowed even basic industries. The post-depression and World War II business found diversity attractive. Fortunat's son, Alcide, as principal, expanded into building construction, retail gasoline sales, and auto repairs.

In the mind of the third generation, Donald A. Lajeunesse, who with his son, David A. Lajeunesse, now operates Lajeunesse Building & Remodeling. Growth, skill, and background are important to business today. Donald, having trained in the business of his grandfather and father, became a New York State Certified Architectural Draftsman in 1950. By 1960, he had become a resident architect for the New York State Capitol and a planning consultant to the Senate and Assembly for the Legislative Office Building now erected as part of the Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza. After 1971, Donald A. Lajeunesse was assigned special tasks requiring unique capabilities, such as design graphics for the World Trade Center and designing and coordinating schedules of hardware for the same complex and buildings. He also designed and developed aesthetic corrective measures for the Capitol Park Monument and surveyed uses and values of New York State Buildings.

The new Lajeunesse Building & Remodeling firm is an outgrowth of experience and tradition. Following the state retirement of partner Donald A. Lajeunesse since 1979, and the entry of his son, David A. Lajeunesse, the business has focused on remodeling and new construction from their headquarters in Hoosick Falls. The firm, by concentrated efforts, has, even in depressed times, doubled its production by the previous year. Through careful planning and by recasting the financial structure, the firm plans a moderate growth in the 00's.