Sam Massell, Atlanta’s mayor from 1970 to 1974, died Sunday morning, according to a family spokesman. He was 94, and died of natural causes.
Massell was president of what was then Atlanta’s Board of Aldermen during the tenure of Atlanta Mayor Ivan Allen. He was later vice mayor from 1962 to 1970.
“The Massell family wishes to announce the passing of former Mayor Sam Massell,” the family said in a statement. “He was a beloved father, husband, grandfather, past mayor of Atlanta and immediate past president of the Buckhead Coalition.”
Arrangements for services are being prepared by the family and will be at the Temple at 1589 Peachtree St. at 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 16, the spokesman said.
Metro leaders remembered the life and legacy of Massell upon hearing of his passing Sunday. Here are some of the condolences and statements that poured in.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens: I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former Mayor and my friend Sam Massell. Sam’s impact on our city was immeasurable. His time as Mayor made history in so many ways. He was Atlanta’s first and only Jewish Mayor, he laid the groundwork for MARTA — which connected neighborhoods and residents across our city — and he paved the way for better representation of women and minority participation in City government. Sam was one of the wittiest people I knew. He understood the importance of collaboration and inclusion. 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.
Former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin: Mayor Massell’s election as Atlanta’s first Jewish mayor signaled we would embrace a new era of cultural diversity. He inspired a generation of advocates for public transit as an essential component of Atlanta’s economic development plans and his leadership of the Buckhead Coalition deftly balanced the interests of the city and neighborhoods. The Massell legacy as mayor and as a civic leader is evident in the current economic success of the metro Atlanta region.
Former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young: In 1971, a year after I lost my first bid for Congress, I was appointed co-chair of the Atlanta Community Relations Commission by Sam Massell. A year, later, in 1972, I was elected to Congress and in 1982, I became mayor of Atlanta.
Sam took a chance on me and that appointment gave me a political base in Atlanta. There were so many problems throughout the city and I was being called to fix them. It made me respectable for the first time.
When he was elected mayor, he had the majority of the Black vote, although a Black candidate was in the race. Black voters stuck by him until Maynard came along.
He was the mayor that helped make the transition, but it had been happening since the 1950s with Mayor Hartsfield. The issues were not over race, they were over progress. He was a mayor that continued the process through transportation, the airport and race relations.
We were always very good friends and every time I asked his advice, I got very good advice.
Sam Massell was a truly progressive mayor in every way and I will miss him very much.
Former Mayor Kasim Reed: Our city has suffered a great loss today. Mayor Sam Massell broke barriers as our city’s first Jewish Mayor and long after his term of service was over, he never stopped loving and giving to Atlanta. Through his exceptional work leading the Buckhead Coalition, he reminded us there is no term limit on being a citizen. You can always give. Mayor Massell was always a telephone call away for me and others who have held the Office of Mayor, and our city is far better because of that. Every time I see a MARTA bus or train I think of him. Our transit system was initially supposed to have gone to the city of Seattle, Washington, but because of his leadership, intellect and determination, Atlanta built the largest transit system in the Southeast. Since then our city has soared and his work is woven into it. Sam Massell was my friend. I will miss him. May God’s comfort grace his family and all who loved him.
Former Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell: He was an inspirational leader and even after his time as mayor was a tireless advocate for the city. His contributions, promoting the MARTA referendum for the greater good of the city, being a beacon for hope, was his most pronounced signature vehicle to make people want to come to Atlanta and stay in Atlanta. I loved his enthusiasm. He was a terrific person who loved the city of Atlanta. I am happy that I got to spend time with him through the years. He was unfailingly positive and supportive and his presence will be missed.
Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms on Twitter: Mayor Massell was a kind and dedicated man who loved our city deeply. I am grateful for his years of service and generosity. My condolences to his family.
Atlanta City Council member Mary Norwood: Atlanta has lost a great civic leader in the passing of Mayor Sam Massell. His service both to the City of Atlanta as our Mayor and as the President of the Buckhead Coalition made him a remarkable public servant for decades. His love for the entire City as well as his beloved Buckhead was extraordinary and we will all miss his leadership and remember him fondly. His deft handling of meetings with a strict adherence to the agenda and the timeline was legendary and his dedication throughout his entire career unparalleled.
Atlanta City Council member Michael Julian Bond: I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former mayor Sam Massell. Well known as an outstanding civic leader, businessman, trailblazer and visionary. He was a close mentor and dear friend. The former mayor was the compass and conscious of those both aspiring to and practicing public service. He was the wise sage who mentored and taught so many who sought to seek good in the way that he had done. I consider myself very fortunate to have been one of those who benefited from his love, time, and concern.
We exist today in an Atlanta partially inspired by his great vision of what a “city on a hill " should be. He never stopped caring, he never stopped building, never stopped serving the people and the city that he loved so much. Whether it is the appointments of minorities and women in city government or the creation of great arenas for people to gather for entertainment and sports, or the minting of great communities and neighborhoods, we need only to look around to see his intelligible impression upon the edifice known as Atlanta. My deepest condolences are extended to his wife Sandra and his family, friends and supporters. Atlanta should be grateful for the life, the times, work and the man — Sam Massell.
For those of us who will surely miss him, we need only to look to his accomplishments that remain. When looking for his soul, they will find it with the heroes of old, cast amongst the stars.
Statement from the Atlanta City Council: A visionary leader for our city, the Council joins the community in mourning the loss of former Mayor Sam Massell. Among his many achievements, he made MARTA what it is today and improved our transit system to attract jobs, investment and generate economic development. A catalyst for change, he also pioneered minority opportunities in Atlanta’s government. He will be deeply missed and his passion for civic service and making a difference in our city will be forever remembered.
Fulton County Commissioner Khadijah Abdur-Rahman: Today, Atlanta lost another giant of the political world. Sam Massell may have been known to many in the present day as the “mayor of Buckhead,” but he was a champion for all of Atlanta.
I well remember his days as mayor and his work to help establish MARTA.
What I will say about Sam Massell is this: often what is most important in political life is what you do AFTER you leave office. Mayor Massell, who lost his bid for reelection to the city’s first Black mayor, Maynard Jackson, did not diminish or go away. Sam flourished and pushed for improvements in our city and our region. Yes, the Buckhead Coalition was his “baby,” but Sam was always an advocate for other areas too and for this the City can be grateful for his long years of service before and after he held court as the city’s top leader.
On behalf of the people of Fulton County and particularly those in the Mighty6 District, I offer our condolence to Sam’s family and friends. I remind them, that love never fails even after those we love so dearly leave us for their greater reward.
Shalom.
Gov. Brian Kemp on Twitter: @GAFirstLady, the girls, & I join the Massell family & all Atlanta in mourning the passing of Mayor Sam Massell. As we remember his lasting impact & his dedicated service, we ask that our fellow Georgians also keep his family in their hearts & prayers.
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