NEEDHAM, MA : Westport man killed in industrial accident on Tuesday, 3rd September 2019

A Westport man was killed in an industrial accident Tuesday at the TripAdvisor building in Needham, officials confirmed.

Needham police identified the victim as 52-year-old James Jacobs of Westport, an employee of the Otis Elevator Company

According to his LinkedIn and Facebook pages and media reports, Jacobs attended Dartmouth High School and also studied at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.

Late Wednesday afternoon, a GoFundMe page set up by Tom Sousa and titled “In Memory of Brother Jim Jacobs,” had reached more than $32,500 of its $40,000 goal. The post noted that “Elevator Constructor Jim Jacobs tragically lost his life today September 3, 2019. He just passed his 4 year mark in the elevator business. Jim was a single father of a teenage daughter.

“I am am not the best with words but if you knew Jim please leave a note or story about him. All money raised will be given to his daughter.” The link is https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-memory-of-brother-jim-jacobs

In contributing, many posters to the page paid tribute to Jacobs. “Jim was a great guy to work with, he always had a good attitude and a strong work ethic. His promising career was cut way too short,” wrote one. “Jim was a great guy. Everyone liked him. He’ll be missed,” said another.

A number of donations came from members of various labor unions. “I would want my union brothers to do the same if I were to be gone to soon and left my loved ones, I hope this helps,” wrote a man who included the seal of Local 71, International Union of Elevator Constructors.

And a woman who identified herself as the “wife of a local 38 union brother,” said “Saddened by this news, we all wait for our loved ones to return home safe after a full day of work. To all that knew and loved this man, please accept my most sincere condolences.”

At the scene of Tuesday’s tragic accident, several fire and rescue vehicles, including the Boston Fire Department

Source