MEMPHIS, Tenn — A long-time cook and waiter for Memphis restaurant Charlie Vergos Rendezvous has passed away, the downtown staple announced on Saturday.
"We are heartbroken to announce the passing of Percy Norris," a statement from Rendezvous on social media read. "It's hard to put into words what this loss feels like for us."
Norris originally stumbled into the job when someone didn’t show up to work a bartender shift. Starting in 1969, Norris met numerous celebrities on the job, including presidents; a prince and numerous athletes as well as actors.
He announced his retirement from Rendezvous in 2016 — a move that caused his regular customers to express their gratitude for the then 68-year-old.
Repeat customer Louisa Allgeier said she and her husband had been coming to The Rendezvous for over 25 years. She said Percy was always there to greet her.
“It didn’t matter if it were several years coming back. He would see us and say, Louisa! How are you doing? And we started having kids, and he knew how many kids we’d have,” said Allgeier.
Norris was known for his "incredible memory." Close to 20 years ago, Norris also battled prostate cancer.
When Norris announced retirement from Charlie Vergos' Rendezvous in 2016, he says his body was telling him it’s time to call it quits.
“There’s an old saying every road got to end somewhere, and mine is coming to an end,” Norris said at the time.
