2009 Obit: Brother Blue (Boston street performer)

Subject: RE: Obit: Brother Blue (Boston, 3 Nov 2009)
From: keberoxu
Date: 09 Aug 24 - 08:41 PM

The widow of Brother Blue,
Ruth Edmonds Hill,
has herself died within the past four years.
I saw her obituary in The Berkshire Eagle,
as her family came from Pittsfield in Berkshire County.
Her obituary was lengthened with all the organizations she belonged to --
largely about oral history and storytelling.

Subject: RE: Obit: Brother Blue (Boston, 3 Nov 2009)
From: keberoxu
Date: 26 Nov 15 - 09:22 PM

Jacob speaks the truth; I went to the visiting hours at the funeral home as well. In the open coffin, Brother Blue had been lovingly dressed just as if he were up and working, with all the clothing, the ink, the ribbons, the hat covering all his hair, everything.

He and his wife used to have a weekly time slot at that church in the Back Bay, one night a week -- Emmanuel? the church that includes Bach cantatas in the liturgy. I ought to have been studying for university, but I made a point of being in that little chapel every week if I could. It isn't often you get to sit at the feet of a master.

I recall the week he showed up on crutches. He had told the Easter story, it must have been that time of year, and when he got to the Resurrection, he jumped -- I don't know where this was -- and ended up with his foot in a cast; his wife Ruth said the bones in the X-ray looked like Rice Krispies! He could get carried away; and Ruth anchored him, soft-spoken and slight as she was. I felt for her when he passed: together for over fifty years.

Army veteran though he was, Brother Blue had been drafted. Authority was an issue with him! Someone who shall not be named, or ranked, but was well known and loved in that city, used to shudder and all but cross himself when Blue was mentioned. Blue was not one for half-measures or diplomacy, and people were not neutral about him: it was all the way, positive or negative.

The authority thing was also a complication when he did post-graduate work; I remember him laughing bitterly: "My negative Ph.D.! They gave it to me to make me go away!" I remember consoling myself, when he passed, with the thought: Brother Blue, you are a true graduate now. You have finished your schooling on earth, and now you have your POSITIVE Ph. D.

I know nothing of Ruth Edmonds Hill since then; I hope she is all right. But I suspect she has a circle of family and friends nearby.

Subject: RE: Obit: Brother Blue (Boston, 3 Nov 2009)
From: haddocker
Date: 30 Nov 09 - 11:24 PM

The thing I remember about Brother Blue is that he had a Doctorate in Theology and was an ordained minister. I couldn't appreciate it then as much as I do now. His stories always had a deeper meaning than what was literally up front. He was a true teacher and I can say that he taught me much that has stayed with me to this day.
    God rest his soul.
                haddocker

Subject: RE: Obit: Brother Blue (Boston, 3 Nov 2009)
From: Jacob B
Date: 30 Nov 09 - 10:11 AM

I can tell you that the visiting hours at the funeral home were so crowded that they needed to be extended.

A reflection of all the love that he gave to everyone that he met.

Jacob

Subject: RE: Obit: Brother Blue (Boston, 3 Nov 2009)
From: kendall
Date: 29 Nov 09 - 08:59 PM

He was at the Jonesboro Tennessee national storytelling festivel in 1980. I had the pleasure of appearing there at the same time.


Also appearing at that festival , Maggie Pierce, Doc McConnel and Marshall Dodge.
There was a nice article in Blair and Ketchum's COUNTRY JOURNAL in October 1981.

RIP Brother Blue.

Subject: RE: Obit: Brother Blue (Boston, 3 Nov 2009)
From: Charley Noble
Date: 29 Nov 09 - 08:23 PM

Another vital person that I have missed connecting with.

Nice Obituary.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Obit: Brother Blue (Boston, 3 Nov 2009)
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 29 Nov 09 - 07:01 PM

Oh, my, Brother Blue. What a wonderful man. Remember, "My magicky, my musicky umbrella"? He was an inspiration to me when I wandered the streets of Boston in my early teens. I would look for him, and follow him around for awhile, and feel blessed and inspired. Thanks for letting us know, Sheridan.

Subject: Obit: Brother Blue (Nov. 3, '09)
From: GUEST,Sheridan
Date: 29 Nov 09 - 05:48 PM

Many people in the Boston/Cambridge area will remember storyteller and long-time street performer Brother Blue. I saw him years ago in the Harvard Square area telling a long complicated story. I stopped to listen since, when Brother Blue spoke, you had to listen. It took several minutes before I realized he was retelling a particularly quirky version of Hamlet.



http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/27/arts/27hillobit.html?_r=1&ref=obituaries