Maurice Harry Stern

Maurice H. (Bud) Stern died on August 2, 2014 at 93. He was born on January 9, 1921 in New Bedford Massachusetts and was raised in Chicago, Illinois.

He was elected to the All-American Water Polo Team in 1940 at the National A.A.U. Water Polo Championship, held at the Illinois Athletic Club of Chicago Illinois. He graduated from Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois receiving a degree in Mechanical Engineering and commissioned in the United States Naval Reserve. On December 18, 1943, he married Elizabeth Ann McMillan.

During World War II, he served as a deck and engineering officer on a Destroyer Escort, USS Goss, DE 444 and saw action at the battle of Luzon, occupation of the Philippines, Iwo Jima, Okinawa and the occupation of Japan. He received Honorable Discharge in 1946 and obtained employment in the Industrial Heating and Air Conditioning Industry. During his working career, he served as chairman on several committees in the Air Conditioning and Refrigerating Institute receiving his Professional Engineering License in the state of Pennsylvania. He retired to Venice, Florida from St. Paul Minnesota as President and CEO of Applied Air Systems, Manufacturer of Industrial heating and air conditioning equipment and settled in Jacaranda, Florida. He then served as President of the Country Club of Jacaranda West in 1987.

During his retirement, he served as a visiting volunteer for hospice, White Knight for the then Venice Hospital and a patient driver for the Cancer Society. He was active in the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet singing in America and served as President of the local chapter of the Venice Gondoliers. He was a member of the Venice Nokomis Rotary Club, and he qualified for the Paul Harris Fellowship. He also served as song leader for several years.

He was a member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church and was Secretary of the St. Andrew's Brotherhood. He is preceded in death by his wife of 69 years, Elizabeth A., and his son Richard of Pueblo, Colorado, and one grandchild, Elizabeth of Ft. Collins, Colorado. He is survived by his son John of Fayetteville, Georgia; two daughters, Gail of Austin, Texas and Linda of Ft. Collins, Colorado; 7 grandchildren, David, Christopher, Jennifer, Mark, Brent, Michelle, R.J., and one great-grandchild, Illyana.

Graveside services will be held at 4:00 p.m., Friday, November 28, 2014 at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions may be made in Bud's name to World Vision at www.worldvision.org, call 1-888-511-6443

To share memories of Bud with his family, please visit www.cookwaldencapitalparks.com