Famous Supply is mourning the loss of second-generation company chairman, Jay Blaushild. He passed away March 10 at the age of 88.

Famous has lost a passionate leader, dear friend and an inspiring mentor. The industry has lost a humble man of exceptional character and integrity who carried on his father’s founding principles to be honest and do what you say you will do. Blaushild leaves behind the great legacy of a fourth-generation family-owned company that is committed to building meaningful relationships with our associates, customers, and vendors. His spirit will continue to be embedded in our Famous Culture.

Blaushild was born in 1933 to first generation immigrants from Latvia. His father, Hyman Blaushild, started Famous Furnace the same year. Growing up in Cleveland, he started working in the warehouse at 13 years old. He became an officer in the Air Force after graduating from the University of Miami (Florida). He eventually joined the business and began leading the company after Hyman passed in 1970. In the decades that followed, Blaushild led tremendous growth that transformed Famous Supply into one of the largest regional HVAC, plumbing, industrial and building products wholesale distributors in the US.