OBITUARIES

Sam Karns, founder of Victor Distributing Co., St. Petersburg, FL, died May 2006 at the age of 81.

Mr. Karns founded Victor Distributing Co. in 1964 and served as president until his retirement in 1984, when he and wife Annie moved to Washington, NC. He returned to St. Petersburg in 2005.

Mr. Karns served the North American Heating and Airconditioning Wholesalers (NHAW) as Region 7 Trustee 1977-88.

Mr. Karns is survived by daughter Shirley Karns MacLean of St. Petersburg, FL, and son Nathaniel Karns of Lanesbourough, MA.

Tom McCreesh, age 65, died May 31, 2006, following a battle with leukemia. He will be reverently remembered by all who knew him through his many years of involvement in the industry and the Association.

Tom was a devoted leader and Vice President, General Manager, of the Dunphey — Smith Company of Union, NJ, for the past 33 years. He served as NHRAW Region 2 Trustee 1992-93, was an active participant in the work of the Association and a friend to all.

Tom McCreesh is survived by his wife of 43 years, Joan McCreesh, of South Plainfield, NJ; daughter Pam McCreesh of Providence, RI; and three sons, Tom Jr., South Plainfield, NJ; Glenn, Pittstown, NJ; and Jeff, Nutley, NJ.