Obituary of James Bernard Isaac

Passed away peacefully surrounded by family, on January 27, 2023, at age 85. Predeceased by his wife of 58 years, Shirley; Daughter, Jacqueline Isaac Spencer; Grandson, James Robert Spencer Jr.; 2 brothers, Edward (Jean) Isaac, and Thomas (Delores) Isaac. Survived by sons, Kenneth Isaac, David Isaac (Lori Richardson), Michael (Roben) Isaac, and Raymond (Erica) Isaac; Grandchildren, Angela (Sean) Baker, Jennifer, Brandon, Nicholas (Kari), Joelle Spencer, Jonathan (Bri) Spencer, Andrew, Christopher (Taylor Meacham), Cameron, and Zachary; Great-grandchildren, Jaylynn, Everlee, Delainey, and Jaxson; Siblings, Bill (Patricia) Isaac, Jane (Tom) Reetz, Nancy Casserino, Linda (Ed) Berardi, and Elaine (Dave) Chandler; Special friend, Nancy Wright, also numerous nieces and nephews.

James B Isaac (JBI), or Jim as he preferred to be called was not only a tremendous business leader in the Rochester area and beyond, but he was also a tremendous humanitarian. Jim was the President and CEO of Isaac Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc., a position he took over after the untimely death of his father in 1967. During this time, he helped grow the business with his brothers Ed, Tom, and Bill, to one of the nation’s largest and strongest HVAC services firms. Jim was known for his innovation in marketing, customer service, and the customization of the products sold by Isaac. Jim was a past National Chairman of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA), and he held numerous other positions in both local, regional, and national trade associations and organizations. He was recognized for his impact on the industry by being inducted into the Contracting Business Magazine’s Contractor Hall of Fame. Jim was also inducted into the Rochester Business Hall of Fame and was a recipient of the Small Business Council’s Business Person of The Year Recognition. As a highly ethical business person, the morals and values espoused by Jim carried over to Isaac, and the company was one of the first contracting businesses ever to be recognized with the prestigious Rochester Business Ethics Award “Ethie” in 1997. Upon his retirement in 2001, Jim had set the company up for even greater success resulting in Isaac being recognized numerous times in the following years as a Rochester Top 100 Business.

While he was proud of his business contributions and accomplishments, Jim was even more passionate about his charitable endeavors. Some of the long list of charities and civic organizations that he was involved with included Rochester Rotary where he served as the 1997-1998 Club President. Jim was instrumental in the creation and construction of Shirley’s Playland, a fully accessible playground at the Rotary Sunshine Camp. Shirley’s Playland was named after his late wife, Shirley Y Isaac. Jim served on numerous committees at Rotary, where he gave of his Time, Talent, and Treasure. Jim was also actively involved with Flower City Habitat for Humanity where he was personally involved in the construction and installation of heating systems in over 120 homes over a 20-year period starting during his employment at Isaac, and continuing into his retirement following. In commemoration of his efforts and contributions to Habitat, Jim was awarded with several awards from the organization. Jim was also actively involved with numerous other charitable and civic organizations, including the Otetiana Seneca Waterways Council of the Boy Scouts of America, Heritage Christian Services, Eastern Service Workers, United Way of Greater Rochester, and many, many others.

Jim loved hunting, shooting sporting clays, boating, writing poems for special occasions, and spending time at his camp on Mud Bay at the entrance to the Thousand Islands, where he enjoyed his greatest passion of fishing. An avid euchre player Jim was known for coordinating and running numerous euchre tournaments for fun and charitable benefits.

Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, February 1st and Thursday February 2nd from 2pm-7pm at Falvo Funeral Home 1295 Fpt. Nine Mile Pt. Rd. Webster, N.Y. On Friday, please join the family 10:30am at St. Rita’s Church 1008 Maple Dr. Webster, N.Y. for his Mass of Christian burial. Entombment Holy Sepulchre.