Prominent Restaurateur Fenerli Dies

Prominent restaurateur Fenerli dies

■ Gregory Fenerli launched restaurants in the Ann Arbor area.

By Arthur Bridgeforth  Jr.

NEWS STAFF REPORTER

Gregory Fenerli began his career as an engineer but eventually turned toward his true love as a restaurateur.

Before he died Saturday, Fenerli had spent more than 30 years in Ann Arbor opening one eatery after another, including the Oyster Bar & Spaghetti Machine, Kerrytown Bistro and the Kerrytown Grill.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 414 N. Main St. Calling hours continue today from 11 a.m.-l p.m. and 4-9 p.m. at Muehlig Funeral Chapel, 403 S. 4th Ave.

Fenerli died at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital following a brief illness, according to Muehlig Funeral Chapel. His age was not disclosed.

Born in Istanbul, Turkey, Fenerli first came to the U.S. in 1950 as an exchange student at University of Michigan’s masters program in engineering, where he earned a degree. He became a U.S. citizen in 1958.

Fenerli started his engineering career designing highway bridges for the Michigan Department of Transportation. But he eventually opened several restaurants, including the Rubaiyat, Zorbas, Inn America, D’Agostinos and others.

He parlayed those businesses into restaurants that remain open today, including the Oyster Bar & Spaghetti Machine, Kerrytown Bistro and the Kerrytown Grill.

Tomiko Cowen, manager of the Kerrytown Grill who worked with Fenerli for more than 30 years, said Fenerli was a unique and honorable man.

“He was like a typhoon - that comes strong - better yet after the strongness goes, there is like a peace,” Cowen said.

LLoyd Baldwin, a bartender and waiter for seven years at Oyster Bar & Spaghetti Machine, said Fenerli was like a father figure to many of his employees.

Although he was heavily involved in the restaurant business, Fenerli maintained an active engineering practice.

He was also an avid music lover and supported the arts. Fenerli was involved with the University Musical Society and the U of M Museum of Art.

Survivors include one sister and brother-in-law, Domna and Spiros Kamariotis and one nephew, Bill Kamariotis, all of Chicago. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Nadia H. Fenerli, in 1971.

Memorials may be made to St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, where Fenerli was a member, or Ronald McDonald House.