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LATZ, MACK LOEWY 95 - of Margate departed this worldly life on the afternoon of September 27, 2012. He was born the eldest son of a distinguished food and beverage family. His parents, Milton and Evelyn Latz owned the Knife & Fork Inn in Atlantic City and Latz's Inn in Somers Point New Jersey. His grandparents, Mack and Allah Latz were hoteliers with properties in Atlantic City, Lake Hopatcong, New York and Miami. Mack attended Atlantic City public schools and graduated from Bordentown Military Academy. He was accepted in a prominent eastern University but was unable to attend due to the gravity of the Great Depression in his family's life. Before the start of World War II he worked in hotels in both Washington D.C. and Miami Beach. Mack was one of the first twelve men to enlist on December 8, 1941. He fought in both Africa and Italy before being critically injured in Central Italy. He received the Purple Heart and was recuperating from his injuries stateside when the war ended. After the war he returned to the civilian sector with a management position at the Waldorf Astoria in New York. In 1948 his father, Milton became ill and he returned to Atlantic City for six weeks. The six weeks turned into a lifetime. In his life he was always a passionate supporter of the Atlantic City area and he truly had "sand in his shoes". He and brother, Jim operated the Knife & Fork with the highest standards of food and service. He was fabled for his quirky, dry personality and unorthodox approach to guest relations. In 1949 he married the glamorous widow Elaine Grahn Goodman. After a month long vacation to Mexico they returned to Ventnor to raise their family. Mack and Elaine were married 39 eventful years before her passing in 1988. He had a great love for all activities relating to the ocean. In his younger years he surfed, then a hobe catamaran and in his later years he was a dedicated sailor. He raced his sailboat "The Knife" throughout the east coast and enjoyed many victories. He is survived by son Andrew (Adrienne) of Northfield NJ, Gordon of Ft Lauderdale Fl, Geoffrey of Waco Texas. Grand-children Drew (Northfield), Chad and Alyson (NYC) and Graham (Texas). Funeral services will be private. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to The Salvation Army, Atlantic City NJ.
Published in The Press of Atlantic City on October 1, 2012
