First time I met Ed I recall summing up Ed to myself in one simple word “spectacular”.

Actually, I really needed two words for that encounter, “spectacular stare”.

Actually three “Unnervingly spectacular stare”.

I first encountered that stare in Liverpool, UK back in April 2011. This was the day of the grand reunion of me and Mike after a short break of 25 years or so…

I suspect I am not alone here .....  about the stare thing, not the 25 year thing.

So, despite the constant, nay persistent staring over a 60 minute breakfast hosted at Mike and Ed’s rather swanky downtown hotel (BTW I only had coffee on account of the laser stare thing), Ed warmed to me and I to Ed. We discovered rather quickly that we had many many things in common, especially a love of the “FNA FNA” and, I’m proud to share never that we missed ever an opportunity for "FNA FNA", never, never ever.

We were at that time three middle aged (except Ed of course, he’s forever 25) blokes having a giggle and behaving like we were 19. It was the start of a fantastically fabulous friendship

Honestly, having got to know Ed I now know that there are not enough words in the English Language that can adequately describe this rarest of creatures. The most fabulous, caring and loving of creatures I have ever had the pleasure of sharing my life with.

My sincere condolences to Mike, Ed’s family and friends.  I will always be grateful to Ed for all the help he provided over the years for my mother (his neighbor).  He was always so kind and willing to help in any situation. He will be missed.  

Kathy’s son 

I was around 9 years old the first time I met Ed. I had been told by my Mum and Dad that I was going to meet my dad’s childhood best friend (the ever-lovely Mike) and his partner (Ed, of course). 

And obviously when I heard they travelled all the way from Los Angeles (!!) to Liverpool, I was positively starstruck and new I had to dress to impress.

So, there I was, hiding at the top of the stairs in my blue sequinned top too shy to say hello as they both arrived. But of course Ed saw me and said ‘Oh honey I love your top’ - a memory I would later remind him of, to which he would reply ‘God, I’m that gay.’

Since the first time I met Ed and Mike, I’ve loved them both. So clearly each others soulmates and both so happy being their complete and utter true selves - something I’ll always take from them. 

Ed was taken from this world far too soon, but there is part of him in everyone he met - everyone who loved him for his brutal honesty, his laugh (loud and proud) and his care for others. 

He will always be missed ❤️

I never met ed, oh how I wish I had but sadly I never had that pleasure. I do feel like I knew him though, that’s the beauty of social media, over the last 12 years or so I have been delighted to reconnect with old friends like mike, & meet new ones like ed. Being allowed a glimpse into the lives of these beautiful souls has always felt like a privilege, the photos they shared with us always so joyous & full of love. Travels to portugal to visit mike’s mum, cruises & trips to Las Vegas, the fun they had clear to see in every image. That Ed was a magical bundle of fun, energy & compassion struck me immediately & I instantly adored him.

Ed seemed like a man who wore his heart on his sleeve & that can be a vulnerable place to be if you do not choose your friends carefully. It would appear that ed was EXCEPTIONALLY good at this & those he chose were more than friends, they were family. What a pleasure it has been to meet you all via facebook. You don’t need me to tell you how much ed loved you, I know you felt that love everyday. Just know that I saw it too, thousands of miles away, many a dreary, Yorkshire morning has been cheered by photos of you all smiling in the california sunshine, celebrating or just hanging out, the love simply POURING out of my screen, never failing to put a huge smile on my face.

I’m fairly sure Ed didn’t need much of an excuse to celebrate, I reckon if you put him in a phone box on his own, a party would break out in a matter of seconds. & when he DID have an excuse – light the blue touch paper & stand back! Christmas, Thanksgiving, Halloween, Easter, Pride month were times he obviously revelled in, any opportunity to entertain those he loved in a very special way, making such precious memories. No half measures over at Ed & Mike’s! Well, I thought I was the queen of Halloween – until I saw Ed & Mike’s house! I was more than happy to hand over my crown, Ed looked better in it anyway, & so looked forward to seeing the video of their decorations each year it has become part of my own Halloween tradition to show it to everyone who visits me.

I learned many things about Ed without ever meeting him & each one made me like him more. Staying up all night to watch the Oscars is something I know he enjoyed, once sharing his excitement with a very jet-lagged Paul who I’m not sure knew what was going on. The love he had for animals, I think Ed & Mike’s pets are probably the luckiest pets on earth, more than pets, family. I had never heard of Bobby Caldwell but Ed’s infectious fan-girling over him got me listening, you were right Ed, he really does have a wonderful voice! thank you for bringing him to me.

& I learned there were things we shared, can’t say it was much of a surprise to discover we both loved ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’. More of a surprise was Ed’s love of ‘Buffy The Vampire Slayer’, given our respective ages neither of us should have ever even have watched a teen drama off of the 90s. That we both did, that we both loved it & understood clearly the messages it skilfully delivers, speaks volumes of something else Ed & I shared – an absolute REFUSAL to act our age! hahahahahahahaha!

I’ll tell you a secret, when you forget how old you are, you can relate to anyone, you can have fun with anyone, in any situation, everything just becomes more FUN when you’re not always trying to behave how you’re ‘supposed’ to behave cos you’re fifty-bloody-six.

Ed knew that.

That’s what really shines out of every picture, Ed found fun & joy in everyone & everything, ok, not trump, ALMOST everyone & everything. It’s a rare thing, as Buffy said: “the hardest thing in this world is to live in it”, anyone who gets past 50 & isn’t just a little bit jaded or downright grumpy-assed is rarer still. the ones who just REFUSE to stop having fun & spreading joy all over the place no matter how miserable stuff gets.

Ed was one of those joy-spreaders, you can tell by the BEAMING faces in every photo, Ed & all those with him, BEAMING. Ed brought joy into the world & isn’t that the greatest endeavour? the greatest testament? I think so.

My thoughts are with all of you close to Ed, diminutive he may have been but I’m sure the hole he has left in your lives feels like the size of Nebraska & seems impossible to fill. Your happy memories will fill it eventually, every time you find yourself smiling at a sudden memory of Ed, Nebraska will get a bit smaller – not the real one, hopefully.

Ed will live forever in your smiles.

Mike, your loss is immeasurable, you shared a rare love & I’m heartbroken for you.

My heart is shattered. 

I will always think that Ed was the reason why I got the job at DSG. Either way, there was an instant connection which I knew this man was going to make a huge impact on my life. I was right, he 100% did! There was never a dull or boring moment with him. I always looked forward to those random days when him and Mike would come into my office dancing to Megan Trainor, or watching them sing to the intro of Big BangTheory when I’d stay over at their house. My favorite memory aside from many, was me falling down the stairs from my office level to his floor and slamming into the filing cabinet (I was always falling). But Ed thought it would be hilarious to find the camera footage and replay my fall. Over and over. Hearing his laugh was priceless even if he was laughing at me. 

His laugh, our talks, our bond will FOREVER be missed. 

My most recent memory of Ed which is an example of his love of a FABULOUS outfit, was the one he put together for last year's Pride. He was thrilled to show me his "wings" and tell me all about the feather warehouse he had gone to. He knew I would LOVE it because of my Showgirl past...he was right!

Of course the finished product was perfection and he pulled it off as only Ed could! He was passionate about everything he did and he loved his "Funny Hubby" with all his heart! You said it all in your beautiful tribute, Mike. He has left his handprint on my heart and there it will stay forever, Godspeed!

Love & Condolences to Mike and all of dear Ed's family and friends. ❤

Wow. I am so shocked and saddened by this news. I’ve only had recent interactions with Ed these past few years via FB. I always liked seeing the photos from your trips and your life together. Reading these posts, I see how many lives he touched and influenced. 

I met Ed (Eddie to all of us at the time) in 1978. I was working in an ice cream store in Westwood. Ed and Connie were go to see a movie. After they left, Ed snuck back to the shop and gave me a note, asking to get together. We did, carrying on for 3+ more years.

I have endless stories and memories of Ed. We each played a pivotal role in our coming out processes. I’m glad we re-connected, if only through  FB.

I don’t know how he died, but it was much too early. I hope you, Mike, are getting the love and support you need right now.

—Christopher Alexander, New Mexico