Radio veteran G. Edwin (Ed) Boss dies

G. Edwin (Ed) Boss, 74, husband of Betty J. Boss for 42 years, died April 11, 2007 in Akron after a full and diverse life.

Born June 19, 1932 to George and Nora (Furbay) Boss, he grew up in the Akron area and was extremely active in the community. As a young boy he earned the honor of Eagle Scouts with Order of the Arrow distinction and was a Counselor at Camp Y-Noah. He pursued an interest in magic and was a magician and hypnotist in his teenage years and early adulthood. Ed was a graduate of Buchtel High School and Akron University, earning a Bachelor's Degree in Economics. He also attended classes at Purdue University and various sales schools. Ed was a veteran of the United States Air Force.

Throughout a 30 year span, Ed was highly involved in local community theater, performing and directing over 75 plays at various playhouses including Weathervane, Bath, Coach House, University Club, Goodyear, Bear Creek and Western Reserve. Ed worked in radio for almost 40 years and was inducted into the Broadcasters Hall of Fame for being one of the first in the country to accumulate one million dollars in FM sales. He was employed by WNIR, WKNT, WDBN and WCUE. He developed the "Goldfish Bowl Santa" raising 100 pounds of money for the Salvation Army. After retirement, Ed volunteered for Meals on Wheels and at the Metroparks NatureRealm.

Ed and Betty enjoyed life and traveled the world over his lifetime with trips to Ireland, England and Italy. He especially enjoyed cruises and casino excursions. Ed had vivid memories of a trip he took to Africa with his son Bill.

Ed will be deeply missed by his wife, Betty; his son, Bill of Trinidad, Calif.; daughter, Kim Keane and her husband Tom, of Bay Village, son Gary and his wife Katrina, of Akron; his sister, Nancy Wells of Bath; and brother, Bill of Tullahoma, Tenn. He adored his grandsons, Connor, Max, Ryan and Trevor.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in his name to the Akron Zoo, where he enjoyed outings with the grandchildren, Akron Zoo c/o Ed Boss Memorial Fund, 500 Edgewood Avenue, Akron, OH 44307 or call 330-375-2550 x7220. An Open House in celebration and remembrance of Ed's life will be held Saturday, April 14th at The Merriman, 209 Merriman Road from 2 to 4 p.m.
[Akron Beacon Journal, Saturday, April 14, 2007, poage B6, col. 6]