Adam J. Micheli

Adam J. Micheli (Eddie)
Adamo Adelio Giovanni Micheli, born on April 27, 1929 in Akron, Ohio, passed away to be with the Lord July 24, 2011 at his home in Tallmadge, Ohio. To everyone he was "Eddie, Pappa, and Boss". In February of 1950 a small custard and hamburger stand opened. The name was "ED's HAMBURG". Ed, along with his mother Angelica (Lena) began a saga that lasted 55 years. From a one room custard stand and curb service with his sister Anna as curb girl, it evolved into a drive-in in 1957. Then in 1963 an expansion took place to the new "ED MICHELI'S RESTAURANT". Another addition in 1967 included banquet facilities and a lower lounge with top area bands. In 1969 a liquor license was added with yet another remodel in 1970. It was now named "MICHELI'S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE". Ed celebrated his 55th anniversary and retirement in business in May of 2005. As for the man Ed, many may not have known. Ed was a lifelong resident of Tallmadge, Ohio. He graduated from Tallmadge High School in 1947 where he was on the 1945 county champion football team. In basketball he was said to be a sure double for the late Sal Mineo. After high school Ed played with Tallmadge semi-pro football team in 1949. Then in 1950 Ed's life took a big turn. He enrolled at Kent State University with the dream of being a lawyer. But his mother had other ideas for him. She bought A.C. Jewell's 18 seat one room restaurant on E. Tallmadge Ave. near Brittain Rd. in Akron. Two months later his father died. In 1951 Ed was drafted and served two years in the U.S. Army in Munich, Germany while his mother, "the Tiger", as he referred to her, operated the business alone. Ed's niche in the army became cooking, enrolling in the 7th Arm'd Food Service School. He went from basic training to 2nd cook, 1st cook, and then mess steward. Returning to the States, he carried that talent to his own restaurant business and mama "the Tiger". And the rest is history. Ed was a kind, gentle man. His motto was "one brick at a time". He always had faith when times were tough. He fed all, even the homeless at the back door. He employed anyone and everyone to give them a chance. He mentored countless people over his 55 years of service to give them their start in life. He touched the lives of generations of customers, too many to imagine. Ed loved fast cars and the GTO. He could tear anything apart and put it back together again. He was a mean jitterbugger. He loved to sing "Leroy Brown". He was one of the first Tallmadge volunteer firefighters. He had a passion for his boat and was an avid skiier. But most of all Ed Micheli was a people pleaser and loved to cook for you no matter what the hour. To many Ed was "Eddie,Pappa, the Boss". To his family he was son, brother, and uncle. He was preceded in death by his father, Aladino Micheli; mother Angelica Leoni Micheli; sister, Anna Micheli Criswell; and Pietro Gambosi a lifetime family friend. He is survived by his only niece Michele Criswell Zeller and his best comrade of 16 years John E. Johnson. There will be no calling hours. A mass will be held at Our Lady of Victory Church in Tallmadge for all to worship on Thursday, July 28, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. Private burial will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association and the VFW Clarence Mains Post 1070 on E. Tallmadge Ave. in Akron in Ed's honor.