Oregonian, Portland, OR
August 21, 1980
Edward "Eddie" Boatright, retired assistant chief of the Portland Fire Bureau who became best-known as a repairer of toys for underprivileged children, died Monday in a Portland hospital. He was 87.
Mr. Boatright was born in San Francisco and joined the Fire Bureau in 1914 when equipment still included horses and iron-wheeled engines.
It was in 1917, as a fireman in the Seilwood firehouse, that he began a service that became part of the city's legend.
A child approached him and asked his help in repairing a toy wagon that he intended to give to his brother as a Christmas present.
Mr. Boatright enlisted the help of other firemen at the station and painted and repaired the toy. Within 10 years, the repair work had blossomed into a citywide Fire Bureau program. In 1926, it was officially named the Toy and Joymakers.
Mr. Boatright was former director of the Portland Fire College, president of the Portland Firefighters' Association and author of firefighting manuals.
In 1963, he was hired as chief of the Albany Fire Department and given responsibility for reorganizing the department. He remained in this position five months.
Injured in a fall in his South Burlingame home in 1973, Mr. Boatright was forced to limit his activities, although he remained active in the Toy and Joy Program.
Mr. Boatright is survived by his wife, Sadie.
Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in Caldwell's Colonial Mortuary. Private entombment will be in Riverview Abbey Mausoleum.
The family suggest remembrance be contributions to the Toy and Joymakers program.
Oregonian, Portland, OR
August 21, 1980
Edward "Eddie" Boatright, retired assistant chief of the Portland Fire Bureau who became best-known as a repairer of toys for underprivileged children, died Monday in a Portland hospital. He was 87.
Mr. Boatright was born in San Francisco and joined the Fire Bureau in 1914 when equipment still included horses and iron-wheeled engines.
It was in 1917, as a fireman in the Seilwood firehouse, that he began a service that became part of the city's legend.
A child approached him and asked his help in repairing a toy wagon that he intended to give to his brother as a Christmas present.
Mr. Boatright enlisted the help of other firemen at the station and painted and repaired the toy. Within 10 years, the repair work had blossomed into a citywide Fire Bureau program. In 1926, it was officially named the Toy and Joymakers.
Mr. Boatright was former director of the Portland Fire College, president of the Portland Firefighters' Association and author of firefighting manuals.
In 1963, he was hired as chief of the Albany Fire Department and given responsibility for reorganizing the department. He remained in this position five months.
Injured in a fall in his South Burlingame home in 1973, Mr. Boatright was forced to limit his activities, although he remained active in the Toy and Joy Program.
Mr. Boatright is survived by his wife, Sadie.
Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in Caldwell's Colonial Mortuary. Private entombment will be in Riverview Abbey Mausoleum.
The family suggest remembrance be contributions to the Toy and Joymakers program.
Family Members
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Virginia Mae "Regina" Boatright Light
1868–1959
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Martha Angeline Boatright English
1869–1961
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Sarah F Boatright Roberts
1870–1960
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Mary Jo Boatright Blalack
1874–1947
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Alexander Edward Boatright
1876–1947
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Benjamin Franklin Boatright
1879–1956
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George W. Boatright
1881–1944
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Sam Lee Boatright
1883–1950
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Alma Boatright Crouson
1885–1973
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