Father, Son, and Patriarch. Maurice Mears was born and raised in Miami, FL. Maurice is a graduate of Miami Carol City Senior High School and an alumni of the University of New Mexico where he was ranked 8th in the nation by position as an Offensive Tackle and 72nd out of 100 for all positions. Due to an injury in his senior year of college, his dream of pursuing a professional football career was cut short. Being the strong, determined individual he is, Maurice persevered and graduated with his BS in Communication, creating another path for himself. After graduation he returned home to Miami, Florida where he once lived and drew inspiration from the rich culture of the city, ultimately deciding to make a hobby into his own company. Cigars fueled his interest to research the taste and quality of different cigars brands, thus leading to the establishment of JM Patriarch. The name JM Patriarch pays homage to Maurice’s great grandfather James Maurice Moss, a Bahamian descendant from the fisherman town of Cat Island, Bahamas. He and his wife Leerlene Moss, who is Bahamian and Cuban, migrated to Miami, Fl in the late 1940s. James spent the rest of his life providing for his family and working at Art Galley (Mueller) and personal car detailing service on Miami Beach. James would leave work every day and enjoy a cigar reflecting on his journey and his legacy to be.