NEW ORLEANS – Edgar "Dooky" Chase, Jr. husband of Leah Chase who together built their famous New Orleans restaurant, has died. Chase was 88 years old.

WWLTV reports that Mr's Chase's daughter, Stella Reese, said her father passed away Tuesday afternoon.

Chase was the second child of Edgar Lawrence "Dooky" Sr. and Emily Tennette Chase. The family opened up the Treme sandwich shop in 1939, which is now known as a New Orleans staple to Creole cuisine. Leah Chase, Chase's wife, remains a constant presence in the restaurant's kitchen. Leah Chase, 93, has received several awards and recognition for her food as well as her involvement in the New Orleans community.

Chase and his sister, Doris, worked came from a musical background, playing trumpet in the Joseph Craig Elementary School Band and later the Booker T. Washington High School Band. He later established the Dooky Chase Orchestra, which included Doris is a vocalist.

Chase met Leah at one of his performances in 1945 at a Mardi Gras Ball and married later in 1946. Chase's band stopped performing in 1949, but remained involved in the entertainment business.

The Chases are also known for their role in the civil rights movement. Chase would canvass the neighborhoods to register to vote, was a member of the NAACP and the restaurant went on to become a safe place for ethnic communities to meet during the Civil Rights Movement.

Chase also served as Vice President of the New Orleans Tourist Commission from 1978-1983, a member of the Jazz and Heritage Festival and was a member of the 1984 World's Fair committee.

Chase is survived by his wife Leah and their four children, Emily, Stella, Edgar "Dooky" II and Leah.