Remembering John Chrysler

Words: Dan Kamys

A longtime friend of MCAA and frequent contributor to MASONRY Magazine, John shaped the trade through decades of service, scholarship, and advocacy. As Executive Director of the Masonry Institute of America and the Western States Clay Products Association, he became the voice of masonry in California, working tirelessly with the Building Standards Commission and the Division of the State Architect to advance and protect the craft. His fingerprints are on California's modern masonry landscape in ways few will ever fully appreciate.

John's influence reached far beyond the West Coast. He served as Treasurer of MACS for many years and gave countless hours to the TMS 402/602 Committee, chairing the Construction Requirements Subcommittee through multiple cycles before leading the Main Committee from 2016 to 2022. That work produced the 2022 edition of Building Code Requirements and Specification for Masonry Structures, a document used daily by engineers and the trade across North America. It stands as part of his legacy.

Those who worked with John knew him as generous with his time, sharp in his thinking, and relentless in his commitment to doing right by the industry. He believed in the people who build with brick, block, and stone, and he fought to make sure the codes governing their work reflected real craft.

The MCAA extends its deepest condolences to Debbie and the entire Chrysler family. John will be dearly missed.


About: Industry News
Why "The Software Can't Track That" Is Finally Going Away
August 2026

For as long as specialty contractors have used field software, most of them have kept a workaround somewhere: a spreadsheet on a foreman's laptop, a whiteboard in the trailer, or a text thread where crew leads send block counts at the end of the day becau

Erin Koets
Build Smart
MAP Partner
Read More
Monadnock Building
August 2026

Chicago’s Monadnock Building doesn’t dominate the skyline the way it once did. Surrounded by steel-and-glass towers, the dark brick structure can seem almost understated. But for anyone in the masonry industry, it remains one of the most important buildin

Cass Stern
American Treasure
Brick Clay Brick
Read More
Britt Stokes, Acme Brick’s Director of Marketing, Retires.
August 2026

Fort Worth, Texas – After faithfully serving Acme Brick Company for 40 years, Britt has chosen to retire – although he will still be involved with Acme on various projects. Britt began his career with Acme as staff photographer and through dedicati

Industry News
Read More
The First Paycheck
August 2026

Several years ago, Huntley Brothers hired a young apprentice. It was his first real job, and he had never had a paycheck before. Friday rolled around, and he got paid just like everyone else. Later that day, one of the guys told me something I have never

Kent Huntley
Chairman’s Message
Read More