News

By Mary Thurwachter

    SOUTH PALM BEACH – Former South Palm Beach Mayor Maurice “Maury” Jacobson, who in 2009 at age 87 was known as the oldest sitting mayor in Palm Beach County, died June 30. He was 93.
    Mr. Jacobson was mayor from 2005 to 2009. He served on the town council from 1993 to 1998 and returned in 2000 for two more two-year terms.
    “Nobody loved South Palm Beach more than Maury,” said Town Manager Rex Taylor.
    “He will be missed by all,” said Mayor Donald Clayman. “He served on many committees and acted as a mentor to many.”
    Lantana Mayor Dave Stewart was one of those Mr. Jacobson mentored. Stewart, who sat with Jacobson frequently during the weeks before his death, said he had known Mr. Jacobson for 40 years, initially in the air- conditioning field common to both.
    “He was always out there wanting to help people,” Stewart said. “Maury was the most fatherly figure anybody could know. He was a pioneer in the A/C business and wanted the industry to be better. If you were having problems, even if you were a competitor, he would help you out.”
    Stewart said Mr. Jacobson called him his “surrogate son,” and was there to provide advice.
    “He is one of the main reasons I ran for mayor,” Stewart said. “He said not to be a one-issue person. He told me to attend council meetings and speak up when they were doing something good – or not good — but not to speak all the time. He taught me to filter interaction.”
    Born Aug. 18, 1920, in Brooklyn, N.Y., Mr. Jacobson was the youngest of five children. His father died in an explosion when he was 9. During The Great Depression, he learned important life lessons from his mother, Mr. Jacobson told The Coastal Star in a 2009 interview.
    “We shared meals with strangers who’d knock on our door,” he said. “We didn’t have any money, but she’d invite them in, split our dinner with them, and treat them like old friends. Over the years, I developed the feeling that the great treasures of life are people. Most people try to do the right thing.”
    He moved to Florida from Washington, D.C., in 1974 with his wife, Fran, and their two daughters, Lynn and Janet. Fran died in 1993.
    After high school, he worked as a civilian machinist for the U.S. Navy before joining the U.S. Army to serve under Gen. George Patton during World War II. When he returned, he opened an air-conditioning business.
    In 1997, the Maurice J. Jacobson Scholarship Fund (www.pbacca.org/the_m_jacobson_scholarship_award.html) was founded to honor Mr. Jacobson for his dedication to the HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) industry.  His company, Florida Heating and Air Conditioning, helped build the Children’s Place and Connor’s Nursery in West Palm Beach — Florida’s first nursery for HIV-positive children.
    A service was scheduled for 10:15 a.m. July 3 at Beth Israel in Boynton Beach. South Palm Beach is planning a tribute to Mr. Jacobson later in July. A date has yet to be announced.