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Myer Jacobs, 93, retired CEO of Willard Inc.

MyerJacobs

By Walter F. Naedele, Inquirer Staff Writer

Posted: July 27, 2012

Myer Jacobs, 93, president and chief executive officer of Willard Inc., a former mechanical and electrical contracting firm, died Monday, July 23, of metastatic cancer at Cathedral Village, the retirement community in Andorra.

Mr. Jacobs was a devoted bicycle rider and tennis player, his grandson Andrew Karasik said.

"He was biking up until he turned 93 in September," Karasik said, "and he played tennis probably until April."

During his years at the firm, Willard worked on buildings at Albert Einstein Medical Center, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Penn Center, and others.

"We would have dinner somewhere downtown," Karasik recalled, and "he used to walk us through buildings and say, 'I remember when we did this job.' "

And, Karasik noted, "they did work around the country."

The firm was based near Germantown and Sedgley Avenues in North Philadelphia before moving to Jenkintown. It later was acquired and ceased to exist, Karasik said.

Born in Minneapolis, Mr. Jacobs earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical and electrical engineering at the University of Minnesota and served as an Army cartographer in India during World War II.

Mr. Jacobs married in 1941, his grandson said, and "when he returned from the Army, his wife was living in Philadelphia, so he came here. His first real job was with Willard, and he stayed with Willard his entire career," retiring in 1985.

Mr. Jacobs lived in Laverock for 50 years before moving eight years ago to Andorra.

He was a founder and board member of the Germantown Jewish Centre in West Mount Airy, and a member of the Barnes Foundation, his grandson said.

He was a financial contributor to the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Philadelphia Orchestra.

Besides his grandson, Mr. Jacobs is survived by a daughter, Lynn Jacobs Karasik; a sister; and two other grandsons. His wife of 65 years, Myra, died in 2006.

A funeral service was set for 11 a.m. Thursday, July 26, at Joseph Levine & Sons, 4737 Street Rd., Trevose. A memorial service was set for 3 p.m. the same day at Cathedral Village, 600 E. Cathedral Rd.

Contact Walter F. Naedele

at 215-854-5607 or wnaedele@phillynews.com.