Former Atlanta Mayor Sam Massell dead at 94

ATLANTA - Sam Massell, the first Jewish mayor of the City of Atlanta, has died at the age of 94.

Few people have given so much for so long to the City of Atlanta as Massell.

Born at Piedmont Hospital on Aug. 26, 1927, Massell was raised in Atlanta. He graduated from Druid Hills High School and the University of Georgia. He quickly jumped into real estate, working at Allan-Grayson, a prominent Atlanta real estate company.

Massell’s journey into politics started when he became a city councilman in Mountain Park, Georgia. By the time of his historic election in 1969, he had served eight years on the Board of Aldermen, the predecessor to the City Council. 

Under his time leading the city, his establishment created the MARTA, Woodruff Park, and the Omni Coliseum.

Massell appointed the first woman to the Atlanta City Council, changing the rules at that time to allow women who worked for the city to wear slacks on the job.

But he said he was most proud of appointing the first African-Americans as department heads in the city, managing a peaceful transition to black leadership of the city. By the time he left office, he had doubled the number of African-Americans working in Atlanta’s government.

In 1973, Massell would be Atlanta’s first white mayor to pass the reigns onto a black mayor when Maynard Jackson defeated him.

After his time in office, the former mayor had successful careers in real estate, tourism, and, for the last three decades, acted as an unofficial mayor of Buckhead as president of the Buckhead Coalition, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting the neighborhood he loved.

He was there at the groundbreaking of Tower Place in 1973 and at the explosion of retail, housing, and office buildings in Buckhead in the decades that followed.

Massell was married to his first wife Doris for 62 years. They saw the world together, taking 73 cruises over the years.

She died in 2015.

Two years later, at the age of 89, Massell married his longtime friend Sandra Gordy. He was determined, in his own words, to make the most of the fourth quarter of his life, and take it into overtime.

Massell is survived by Gordy, three children, Steve, Cindy, and Melanie, and his three grandchildren.

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens called Massell a friend in a statement after news of his death became public. 

"Sam was one of the wittiest people I knew. He understood the importance of collaboration and inclusion," Dickens' statement said, in part. "I call it drawing circles, but Sam always said that we can get more done through a conference call than through confrontation. That is why I asked him to join our transition team. Rest well, my friend. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone who loved him."

Gov. Brian Kemp said in statement that his family joins "the Massell family and all Atlanta in mourning the passing of Mayor Sam Massell." He went on to say in a social media post, "As we remember his lasting impact & his dedicated service, we ask that our fellow Georgians also keep his family in their hearts & prayers."

A joint statement from the Atlanta City Council credited the longtime civil servant for forming MARTA.

"A catalyst for change, he also pioneered minority opportunities in Atlanta's government," Massell said. "He will be deeply missed and his passion for civic service and making a difference in our city will be forever remembered."

The transit authority also responded to the news of Massell's death:

"MARTA mourns the loss of Atlanta political and civic giant and former board member Sam Massell. MARTA would not exist but for the dedication and persistence of Massell, who convinced the Georgia Legislature, and later voters, to approve the local option sales tax that continues to fund MARTA to this day. His political antics in the early days of the MARTA referendum are legendary, as are his grassroots efforts riding the bus to communities and explaining the sales tax on a chalkboard. MARTA was fortunate to have such an ardent support and we remain forever in his debt. Our deepest sympathies go to his wife Sandra, his children, extended family and his countless friends."

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