Former Augusta Mayor Ed M. McIntyre Sr. was remembered Sunday as a peacemaker and a man of vision whose appeal crossed racial lines.
Mr. McIntyre, who died Saturday, was Augusta's only black mayor. He also was the first black Richmond County commissioner.
Two local historians said Sunday that Mr. McIntyre also will be favorably remembered for many other accomplishments.
Ralph Walker, a professor emeritus in Augusta State University's political science department, said Mr. McIntyre had the vision to develop the riverwalk into one of the city's premier sightseeing locations. Dr. Walker also said the former mayor had the ability to bring about racial reconciliation.
"He was a great facilitator with the ability to bring the races together. His popularity transcended race," said Dr. Walker.
Mr. McIntyre's annual fish fries at the Julian Smith Casino were always filled to capacity and attracted diverse individuals from both white- and blue-collar professions.
Dr. James E. Carter, another local historian, said Mr. McIntyre's mother, the Rev. Essie Mae McIntyre, provided her son with substance.
"She was a single parent who put him through private school, then Morehouse College," Dr. Carter said.
The Rev. McIntyre founded Good Shepherd Baptist Church, where Mr. McIntyre's funeral services will be held Friday.
Dr. Carter said few Augustans realize that Mr. McIntyre pushed for construction of the Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center downtown. He also had the center-street parking zones on Broad Street refurbished with shrubbery and had the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce constructed in the 600 block of Broad Street.
"He was also able to increase construction contracts for minorities, who before he was mayor were never given an opportunity."
Former state Sen. Charles Walker said the former mayor will be recalled as Augusta's visionary and creative thinker.
"He believed in thinking out of the box," said Mr. Walker, noting Mr. McIntyre's lasting legacy in developing the levee on the Savannah River into a downtown tourist attraction.
Dr. Walker said he believes Mr. McIntyre realized the impact his life had on the city before he died.
"He was elected mayor, and despite his problem was able to overcome it and nearly got re-elected as mayor," said Dr. Walker, noting the bribery and extortion conviction that cut Mr. McIntyre's mayoral tenure short in 1984.
Reach Timothy Cox at (706) 823-3217 or tim.cox@augustachronicle.com.
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