"Expo Eddie" Sullivan, dies at 62.

[Gormy Cuss]

Anyone who lived in Portland's West End neighborhood, attended Portland High School or other Portland based athletic events would remember this remarkable man. He had an indefatigable spirit and a ready smile to greet everyone he met on the street. I witnessed some of the worst street toughs melt into a smile and wave for Eddie.

Having been born in a time when many children with Down's syndrome were institutionalized and written off by society, his family's choice to raise him at home and nurture his abilities gave the community a good man who was widely respected and loved for his abilities, not his limitations. I don't know if his parents had much money, but I do know that the relatives that he lived with most of his adult life were people of modest means.

RIP, Eddie.

Ed was a remarkable man with Down syndrome who didn't let it stop him from living such a full and independent life. He knew so many people in the city of Portland, as he would walk and ride the bus to get around. He cared for many of the people that showed him support and attention in his life. The community of Portland looked after him, and he tried to give back in his own ways as well.
Portland High School historian, Peter Gribbin, recalls how long and faithfully he supported PHS athletics: I still have people at the games or just on the street asking about Ed. For four decades, Eddie Sullivan was a unique combination of batboy, assistant manager, water boy, and especially 'super fan and mascot' for the Portland High bulldogs. From the early 1960s until a few years ago, no one attended more P.H.S. games, both home and away, than Eddie. 'Expo Eddie' was synonymous with Portland High School athletics, and was a well-known figure not only to generations of Bulldog fans, but also to the high school sports fans of southern Maine.

http://www.legacy.com/mainetoday-pressherald/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonID=88051829

[MaineDem]

1. I remember the HS tourneys at the Expo in the 60s

Eddie was always there!

Rest in peace, Eddie.

[mile53]

2. I was there too!

A remarkable person.

It seems that a part of Portland just died. A wonderful era coming to an end, I guess.

[Old and In the Way]

3. Expo Eddie....

I went to Cheverus and he was always at the Expo, regardless of which of the 3 teams were playing. Man, I hadn't thought about him in almost 40 years, but I knew instantly who it was when you put his name in the subject line. :-(