“Eddie A. Boggs, a longtime Sylvania educator and one of the
best known entertainers in Northwestern Ohio has died.”
1/11/14 Toledo Blade
On December 7th Eddie Boggs and his band performed to a capacity crowd at the Fayette Opera House. His performance had all of the warmth and charm that had come to characterize his previous appearances at the Opera House. Most of those in attendance knew that Eddie had been struggling with serious health issues, yet all of that faded when he flashed his smile, told his stories and sang his songs.
At the end of the performance, after the traditional reception and signing of CD’s and just before closing the trunk on his packed SUV, I asked if he would consider returning to the Opera House this summer to participate in a workshop for young performers. I explained that one of the goals of that workshop was to expose talented young people to what it means to become an “entertainer”, and that we could think of no one better to teach this than Eddie Boggs.
A familiar smile flashed across his face and his eyes sparkled with energy as we shared visions for that future experience. We could count on Eddie Boggs. He was an educator and an entertainer. But most of all he was a friend.
As it turned out, that show was Eddie’s last public performance and the last time I had the honor of speaking with him.
It was not however, the last time his name will be raised, nor will it be the last time his contributions and accomplishments are remembered here at the Opera House. Each time a performer connects with their audience, and whenever an audience clamors for an encore, the energy that was Eddie Boggs will live on.
Eddie Boggs
