Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) recently reported the passing of Maurice "Maury" Jacobson, on June 30. Jacobson, who served as chairman of ACCA's board of directors in 1975, was 93.
Maury Jacobson was a dedicated member of the HVACR industry. He owned and operated a contracting business, served on ACCA's board of directors, on the South Palm Beach Florida Code Enforcement Board, and became mayor of South Palm Beach in 2005, serving three, two year terms. Jacobson also served his local community on the Community Affairs Advisory Board, the Palm Tran Service Board, the Palm Beach County League of Cities, and the Technical Advisory Committee for the Florida State Building Code and Energy Code Commission.
In recognition of his industry leadership and contributions, Jacobson was inducted into the Contracting Business Hall of Fame in 1994 (see sidebar, 'A True Gentleman').
Maury Jacobson served on ACCA's board of directors, the South Palm Beach Florida Code Enforcement Board, and became Mayor of South Palm Beach in 2005.
"Maury was an insightful member of the HVACR community and I always enjoyed spending time talking to him," said Paul T. Stalknecht, ACCA president and CEO. "His dedication to our industry and his local community is unrivaled by most people. His presence will be greatly missed."
A memorial service was held on July 3 at Beth Israel Memorial Chapel in Boynton Beach, FL. Interment will follow at Royal Palm Memorial Gardens. Contributions may be made to Trustbridge/Hospice of Palm Beach County, or the Blinded Veterans Association.
'A True Gentleman'
"A master of articulation, a model of integrity, and a true gentleman are the traits that have characterized Maurice "Maury" Jacobson during his 40-plus years in the HVAC industry."
That was how we described Maurice Jacobson, upon his induction into the Contracting Business Hall of Fame in December, 1994.
We continued: "During those years, Jacobson has devoted himself to improving the competence and professionalis of HVAC contractors and their business operations."
Jacobson started his own contracting firm in Washington, DC, shortly after World War II, and built it into a large and successful installation and service operation. During this era, he was one of the founding members of the national chapter of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA).
During his years on the ACCA board, Maury served as chairman of the Manower Committee, and spearheaded the development of standards for heating and air conditioning installation craftsmen, in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Labor. As a result of his work, HVAC installation craftsmen were recognized as a specific trade by the Deparment of Labor.
- In 1976, after relocating to Florida, Jacobson became national field director for ACCA, and was responsible for the association's Chapter Assistance Program.
- In 1980, he joined Florida Heating & Air Conditioning as vice president of the company's new Palm Beach division, which he then quickly tranformed into a major force in the areas new construction market.
- He served on the board of directors of the Palm Beach chapter of ACCA, and of the Florida Air Conditioning Contractors Association.
- When unfair utility competition became an issue in Florida, Jacobson voluteered to be the chairman of Floridians for Fair Utility Practices, a coalition of groups from the HVAC and electrical industries.
Throughout all the changes in his long career, Jacobson never lost his focus of helping contractors and the industry. — CB
CLICK HERE FOR A PDF OF MAURY JACOBSON'S 1994 HALL OF FAME INDUCTION STORY