Edgar J. Dame Jr., known in the fleet industry as Eddie Dame, died on Aug. 19 of Alzheimer's disease. He was 76. He worked for Avis Rent-A-Car as the senior vice president and general manager of the worldwide car leasing division. His retirement in 1986 capped a 40-year career with Avis. What many may not have known was that he was also a speed skating world champion. In 1948, Dame started out in the automotive industry as a garage serviceman for Dick Robie, a Hertz licensee in Boston, MA. Then in 1952, Robie bought the Avis system from Warren Avis and moved the company’s headquarters to Boston. During his long-term employment with Avis, Dame held a number of positions such as reservation agent, rental agent, assistant to the general manager, car leasing salesman, and car leasing operations manager. When Dame retired from Avis in 1986 his title was senior vice president and general manager of the car leasing division, a position he held for 20 years. Born in Winthrop, Mass., Dame was raised and educated in Revere, Mass., and graduated from Revere High School in 1945. He also resided in Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., and Jupiter, Fla. Dame was a world-class speed skating champion. He set eight world records in various events. In 1972, Dame was inducted into the Speed Skating Hall of Fame in New York. He participated in the Boston Marathon twice, as well as the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C., when he was over 50 years old. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Ruth (Reynolds); two daughters, one son, three sisters, one brother, and three grandchildren.
0 Comments