Yochanan Comay was born in South Africa to a Zionist family. He and his family immigrated to Israel in 1947, later he married Susan, and had two children. Yochanan joined the Faculty of Industrial Engineering and Management in 1969 as Lecturer in Economics and Human Capital, and was promoted to Senior Lecturer shortly thereafter. He published several papers and research reports in his areas of interest. During his brief service in the faculty, he advised graduate students, participated in academic committees, and contributed to the strengthening of the Economics area.

Yochanan was called to reserve service in the artillery on the Golan Heights, during the Yom Kippur war. There he met his untimely, much lamented death, which cut off a promising career. The Yochanan Comay Prize for students in Economics was established in his memory by his parents. He is remembered as a brilliant scientist, valued colleague, sociable friend – who was taken from us before his time.