In Memoriam: Harvey L. Massey

Remembrances

I will miss my dear friend Harvey, since I have known him since the 1960’s when we were both young district managers with Orkin. I was a district manager out in the western US and Harvey, although not yet a district manager was in the Midwest.

We were both by far the youngest “up and comers“ in the Rollins organization. We communicated regularly, by phone, since there was none of today’s means of communication. Of course we’d see each other at company meetings. Harvey and I had a special longtime relationship.

Harvey was always a person of high integrity and a people-first kind of guy. He cared so much about his associates and their families going way back when we worked together. This continued through his development of Massey Services into a powerhouse company that operated in so many states.

He has left his company in very good hands with those leaders that he developed, investing in them his leadership and character traits.

I am very respectful and mindful of my relationship with Harvey and his family. May his memories be a blessing for us all. — Norman Goldenberg, industry consultant

Harvey Massey was a big picture thinker and a visionary. He deserves the primary credit for the concept of the Industry Awareness Council (IAC) which ultimately became  the Professional Pest Management Alliance (PPMA). 

My most significant memory of Harvey was a three-day trip with him and four other industry leaders, Norm Goldenberg, Bobby Jenkins, Cindy Mannes and Glen Rollins in the very earliest days of the IAC. During that time, I learned of Harvey’s belief in our industry, his insight in business matters and commitment to his company’s co-workers.

We visited the major manufacturers to gain their support, flying throughout the U.S. on the jet generously provided by the Rollins family. Harvey was the group’s primary spokesman and I can still hear him giving pretty much the same speech a half dozen times, always using the phrase “A rising tide lifts all boats.” How right he was! Sadly, we’ve lost a valuable industry leader and a gentleman. But, we’re left with his legacy of leadership, including a very fine company and his son Tony who is following in his father’s footsteps. — Victor Hammel, chairman, Rentokil North America

Truly a great man that has done a lot for our industry, rest in peace Harvey. — Doug Longfellow, NaturZone Pest Control

Mr. Massey was such an amazing leader, mentor, friend, philanthropist, husband and father. I’m thankful to have shared many precious moments with him after I lost my father. He and my dad, Gene Higginbotham, we’re cut from the same cloth. — Laurie Higginbotham, CEO/President, American Pest Control

I was so sorry to hear about this today. Harvey was a friend. He was also a good man and a great American. Having lunches with him in his office was a real treat. A generous and gracious man. You can also tell a lot about someone when you know their children and Harvey and Carol have a great family. Harvey will be missed by many. His impact for good goes way beyond our industry. God bless the Masseys in a special way at this time. — Greg Clendenin, industry consultant

Mr. Massey was a force of nature and truly one-of-a-kind who we consider a Founding Father of PPMA. He always felt that a “rising tide lifted all boats” and that is how he lived his life. He helped guide this industry into a new era of professionalism and so much more. He was a titan in this industry whose shoulders we have all stood upon and whose legacy will last for many generations still to come. — NPMA CEO Dominique Stumpf