Uncrowned Community Builders

Herman Alexander Price was born on May 9, 1905 to the late Sherman and Rosa Anna Price. Herman is the surviving offspring of ten children: Daisy, Willie Bell, Mamie Dell, Nollie, Sherman, Henry, Rosa Ella, Judson and Lovette. He was married to the late Bernice Price and raised a niece, Lillie Anna Christmas Warren. At age 102, he is thought to be the oldest living veteran in Western New York. Herman was a decorated veteran of World War II, where he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for heroic service. In the Army, Herman was a diesel mechanic with the responsibility of inspecting and testing equipment in combat areas. He served in New Guinea and the Philippine Islands. He was discharged from the service from Camp Atterbury, Indiana at 11:16am on September, 1946. Herman's parents were the most successful and wealthiest black residents of Dodge County and Eastman, Georgia. When his sons were old enough to migrate, Sherman Price gave money to his sons and sent them north to find good jobs. Herman worked in the steel mills in Cleveland, Ohio before moving to Buffalo in 1932. He was employed at Acme Steel, the Ford Assembly Plant and retired from Veteran's Hospital where he worked in the Food Service Department.

A devoted, God fearing Christian, Herman attended Trinity Baptist Church for more than forty years. Presently, he is a member of St. John Baptist Church. Out of the goodness of his heart, he drove church members to and from Sunday school and Church service until he was 98 years old. In his younger days, Herman was an avid traveler and found great enjoyment in his hobbies of working on automobiles. Later in life, he worked in his vegetable gardens and his flowerbed at Towne Gardens. Because he was successful with growing tomatoes, he was fondly called the Tomato Man". Herman is the proud uncle of Arthur Thomas, Lillie Anna Christmas Warren, Charles Price, Zelma Heath Miles, Zelma Price Grice Gipson, Judson Price, Theodore Price, Robert Price, Edward Price, and the late Hughes Price, Rosa Anna Price, Willie Clyde Thomas Helms and Julius Brown, Jr.

At age 93, in 1998, then Buffalo Common Council President, James W. Pitts, recognized him with a proclamation in City Hall. In 2001 at age 96, he became a life member of the NAACP and received a plaque for his commitment. At age 100, State Senator Byron Brown presented him with a proclamation proclaiming May 14 as Herman A. Price Day" in the State of New York. He was given the Day of Honor 2002 recognizing Minority Veterans of World War II Award". At age 102, Herman was honored by the Challenger Newspaper with an article titled, 102 Years of Living!" In 2007, he was given the Father of the Year Award" from the Christian Men's Fellowship of St. John Baptist Church. Herman was presented with a proclamation during his 102nd birthday in 2007 from New York Sate Senator Antoine M. Thompson. He is fondly called Uncle" by four generations of nieces and nephews. Uncle Herman has received plaques from the Price Family Reunions in the Buffalo, Detroit, Ft. Lauderdale and Charlotte Chapters. His response to the question of how has he managed to live so long? is he eats slowly, exercises, avoids stress and has a strong faith in God."