NATICK: Edward James Spriggs, age 63, a longtime resident of Natick, passed away suddenly on Friday, February 22, 2013, at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in Brighton. He was the devoted husband of Geraldine (Goodlow) Spriggs for the past 22 years.
Born, raised and educated in Boston, he was a son of the late Kenneth and Mary (Puller) Spriggs. After high school, Ed followed his lifelong attraction to cars and began a career as an auto mechanic. Married with a young daughter, he worked in Boston for many years. After his marriage ended, he met and courted Geraldine. They married in 1990 and settled in Natick.
Ed was employed in the Natick area as a mechanic and tow operator until illness prevented him from the type of labor he loved all of his working life. Rather than just quit altogether, he persevered and found part time work at Fannon’s Liquors for as long as he could. Ed was gifted with an outgoing personality and an extraordinary memory for names and faces. He delighted others from all walks of life with his personal greetings. This carried into dialysis appointments too – there was hardly a healthcare worker or fellow patient he didn’t know. Ed’s family was continually surprised and proud of the number of people who’ve brought him gifts and meals or just visited as his illness progressed. The memory of his upbeat personality and great capacity for sharing love will live long in the hearts of those he touched.
In addition to his wonderful wife, Ed is survived by five loving and much loved children, Angela Hamilton of CT, Edward “Michael” Spriggs and his wife Keri of Natick, Angela Johnston and her husband Eric of Milford, Natasha Sutton and her husband Tarik of NC, and James Callahan and his wife Angela of Attleboro; 14 grandchildren, Alexis, Kaylee, Daisy, Alicia, Corena, Emani, Chynna, Kiana, Janae, Davon, Darius, Darian, Nicholas, and Jonathan; great-granddaughter, Aaliyah; brother, James Spriggs, four sisters, Lucille Ricarto, Barbara Spriggs, Pauline Spriggs, and Rebecca Wade; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was the brother of the late Mary Whitehurst and Charles, Melvin, Robert, and Larry Spriggs.
Visiting hours will be at the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park Street at Natick Common, Natick, on Wednesday 2 – 4 & 6 – 8p.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend.