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Edward Negri Obituary
Family-Placed Death Notice
NEGRI, Edward EDWARD J. NEGRI Edward J. Negri, 91, of Ellijay, GA formerly of Sandy Springs, died Sunday, April 28, 2013. Ed was probably best known as the friendly and hospitable owner of the very popular Herren's Restaurant in Atlanta until it closed in 1987. Herren's is noted for being downtown Atlanta's first restaurant to voluntarily desegregate, which they did in 1962. In the 1960s, Mr. Negri was Chairman for 5 years of the 'Camp Fire Girls' Resident Committee. He also served as Vice Pres. of Atlanta Area Council Board of Directors; Vice Chairman of the Region III Board. For his work with said organization, he was a recipient of the Luther Hasley Gulick Award in 1968. Mr. Negri served on the Board of Directors of the Atlanta Convention Bureau and the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. He served on the Atlanta Traffic & Safety Council. Ed was the Founder and President of the Boys High Alumni Association. He was a member of the Georgia Tech Alumni Association and graduated from the university with the Class of 1947 and earned an ME Degree. He was Chairman of the Food Service Advisory Committee for the Atlanta Vocational-Technical School and Chairman of the Atlanta Regional Food Committee for Disaster Preparedness and Relief. Ed's success with Herren's Restaurant and enthusiasm for the restaurant business led him to serve as the Atlanta Restaurant Assn. President from 1958-59; Georgia Restaurant Assn. President from 1965-66; and National Restaurant Assn. Director from 1968-74. He received the Restaurateur of the Year Award from Florida State University. He instigated the "Save the Fox" movement which culminated in the formation of Atlanta Landmarks, Inc. for which he served on the Board of Trustees. He was instrumental in saving and restoring the Wren's Nest and served on the Board of Directors. As a member of the Peachtree Kiwanis Club he received the Man of the Year Award in 1993. He authored Herren's-An Atlanta Landmark-past, present, future. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Ellijay Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Negri was preceded in death by his wife, Jane Fuller Negri. He is survived by his daughter, Ellen Luse of Ellijay, GA; sons, Steve Negri and his wife Vee of Summerville, SC, and Paul Negri and his wife Lyn of Summerville, SC; grandchildren, Lynn Roldan, Christy Hincher, Timothy Casey, Kimberly Casey, and Marlena Compton; and 4 great grandchildren. A funeral service will be held Saturday, May 4, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at Sandy Springs Chapel. Entombment will follow in Arlington Memorial Park. . Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Vincent DePaul Society. The family will receive friends Friday, May 3, 2013 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Sandy Springs Chapel, 136 Mt. Vernon Hwy, Sandy Springs, GA 30328
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Memories and Condolences
for Edward Negri
Ed and Herren's brought us to Atlanta from Sandy Springs many times for the most enjoyable meals!
Lilla Leike Hamond
May 18, 2013
I have very fond memories of having lunch at Herren's. My parents Lee and Pat Leike knew Ed and enjoyed many meals. From a teen's perspective, Ed was always so friendly and courteous. Will always remember the wonderful cinnamon buns. :) God bless Ed and his dear family. He was a wonderful man!
Anne Elizabeth King
May 10, 2013
The Negri family shared love and light from childhood memories on Keswick Ct. to later times in early days of civil rights activism in Atlanta. Mr. Negri was a lighthouse in troubled harbor. His rest is well earned! May God comfort the family.
Robert Westmoreland
May 7, 2013
My family and I lived next to Ed & Jane for the past 12 years.He was a great neighbor and was one of the most interesting people that I have ever talked with.His mind was very sharp and he shared many Atlanta "stories" with me through the years.We will miss him but he left behind a great legacy that helped shape Atlanta into a great city.
Richard & Sarah Draut
May 5, 2013
We are honored to have known Ed Negri, a man of strong integrity who had an intense understanding that each of us has the power to improve the lives of those around us, individually and in society. His life embodied a sense of civic duty that contributed substantially to Atlanta's evolution from a regional economic center imprisoned by the racism of the old south to modern, vibrant, international city. They talk of the "greatest generation." Ed was a shining example.
But it was his love for individuals that called him to serve the public good, and it that love for which he is most remembered.
We will miss him dearly.
Richard and Sarah Draut
May 5, 2013
With deepest sympathy to the Negri family during your time of grief...God is for you a refuge and strength, A help that is there to be found during difficult times...May God provide you with peace and comfort to endure the days ahead...(Psalm 62:8).
Jan Joyner
May 4, 2013
I'm very sorry for your loss. He must have been quite a man. It is amazing all of the things he accomplished. He lived his life well. May you take comfort in the memories you share of your time with him.
Erica Broadway
May 4, 2013
It is comforting to know that Jesus, the Ruler of God's Kingdom, is called the “Prince of Peace,” and he will ensure that “to peace there will be no end.”—Isaiah 9:6, 7.
Solomon Y.
May 4, 2013
I am pretty sure this was a very respectful man. This was a man who was willing to stand out as different and desegregate his restaurant. John 5 25
Virgil Herndon
May 4, 2013
My condolences to the Negri family from Carolyn and Virgil Herndon, across the street neighbors, on Castleton Drive. Your dad brought us the last lemon pie on the closing of Herrens. We often met at your mail box for interesting chats. What a wonderful visit we had with Ed last year in Ellijay.
Theresa L. Thrasher
May 3, 2013
I only knew him from his daughter talking about him and I'm so sorry I never had the opportunity to meet him. He seemed to be just a wonderful human being.
Kent Reece
May 3, 2013
It was a great honor to have known Mr. Negri ,he will be greatly missed.
Paul Cadenhead
May 3, 2013
My association with and fond memories of Ed go back to the early 1950s and the famous Herrens Restaurant. I remember his courage during the difficult days of racial integration, as well as his famous and delicious sweet rolls. Those memories were cemented when he closed Herrens and gave me one of the small cream pitchers as a memento.
After he moved to Ellijay he and I exchanged emails. In fact, I began to be concerned for his health because recently I received no emails.
Ed will live in my memory as a courageous man and good friend.
Paul Cadenhead
Donna Cowart Mousa
May 3, 2013
So sorry to hear of Ed's passing. I enjoyed knowing him and working with him in Ellijay. He was a thoughtful and engaging man.
May 3, 2013
I am so sorry for your great loss. Mr. Negri obviously possessed some very noteworthy characteristics and showed loving actions towards many. May it bring you comfort in knowing that God promises to never forget our fine works. ((Heb. 6:10). Again, my deepest sympathies to your family.
Suzan Satterfield
May 3, 2013
We had the honor of meeting Ed and Jane while working on the documentary about Herren's. They were both delightful, loving, spirited people with huge hearts. So sorry for your loss. We wish you comfort and peace.
May 3, 2013
To Ellen and all the Negri Family,
Please accept our deepest synpathy
on the passing of your father. He led
a full and active life while accomplishing many good things, but most important was that he was a good man.
Gary & Donna Ferguson
Bellmawr, NJ
May 3, 2013
My thoughts and prayers are with the family
Eg
May 2, 2013
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Leonie Hardie
May 2, 2013
So sorry for your loss. I knew Mr. Negri from Camp Toccoa.
He was such a good friend to Camp.
I will miss him very much.
He was such a wonderful person.
Elaine Brinkley
May 2, 2013
Sending thoughts and prayers on behalf of the staff and board of Camp Fire Georgia. WoHeLo!
May 2, 2013
Ed was a nice gentleman and fun person to work with and enjoyed his years at Mountain Aire Realty. Rest in peace. Laura (Skip) Cowart.
May 2, 2013
With fond memories of Mr. Negri and Herren's - a part of my Atlanta history...J. Lester, Atlanta
Dani Duniho
May 2, 2013
Uncle Eddie, a wonderful gift to the world, to be remembered with grateful admiration always. Bless him in his new life with Jane. Loving condolences to Steve, Paul, and Ellen, I wish I could be with you. Dani
George Owens
May 1, 2013
My prayers are with the entire Negri family....!!! My dear friend Steve, please believe, you & yours are in my prayers..I'm sorry I won't be able to attend,,
May 1, 2013
Dear Steve:
We send our condolences to you, Vee and the entire Negri family. Your father lived a full and active life!
Sincerely,
Pat and Jerry Kinnan
Ed Hickey
May 1, 2013
Sandy and I will not be able to attend but our thoughts and prayers will be with you all.
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