For John Milavec, running a repair service came naturally to him. His father started a repair business in 1976, and was a fixture in the St. Patrick’s neighborhood of Joliet, repairing and maintaining the appliances, heating units and plumbing fixtures in many of the historical homes in the area. In fact, he was known as the “go-to guy,” when it came to keeping the “the old boilers running.” Not always an easy job. Young John apprenticed with his father, who taught him all he knew about HVAC, plumbing and appliance repair.
John also continued his formal education and, at 19, became a licensed electrician. When John Senior retired in 2003, John took over the business and moved it to his home in Plainfield, where he lives with his wife, Julie, and their three children.
While John continues to work on older homes and can still keep those old boilers running, he constantly upgrades his skills with continuing education, and is up to date on all of the latest technologies in HVAC, electrical and plumbing.What sets John apart from many repairmen is his “rolling repair shop.” John’s truck is well-stocked with the tools and parts he needs to complete almost any job. The truck is outfitted and organized to make the most of his time, which makes the most of his customers’ dollars. He also knows how inconvenient it is when an air conditioner or refrigerator break down in the summer , when the furnace or hot water heater break down in the winter, or when a washer, dryer or stove break down at any time. He prides himself on getting the job done, doing it as quickly as possible and doing it right so that the equipment functions as it should without further problems.
J&J Repair Service has been around for over 30 years, and shows signs of becoming something of a dynasty, for when John’s young son was asked what he wanted to be when he grew up, he reported that he wanted to be a “fixer man, just like my dad.”
