After graduating from Somerville High School in 1932, he received an associate degree in mechanical and electrical engineering from the Lowell Institute. During World War II, he supervised the installation of refrigeration systems on U.S. Navy ships under construction at the Fore River Shipyard in Quincy, MA.

In 1946, Mr. Erbetta founded Boston Air Condition-ing Co., which eventually became BALCO and Energy System Industries, Inc.

Mr. Erbetta was instrumental in starting the Service Maintenance Bureau (SMB), today known as the Mechanical Service Contractors Association (MSCA) and served on its board of directors for several years. He was a member of RSES for more than 45 years, held a life membership in ASHRAE, was a member of SMACNA, and founded the Boston Chapter of ACCA.

Mr. Erbetta is survived by his wife of 59 years, Louise; children Robert, Gail (Doyle), and Ronald; five grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. The family requests that expressions of sympathy be made to the American Cancer Society: 800-227-2345.