Andy Balcer, Bard of Brixton RIP

[lolasma]

Violet's Little Boo

I met Violet's Little Boo in '82 when he came to live in Houston, TX for the next 10 years or so. I was a very close friend, surrogate mother, and at one time his boss at my bar. I still have customers ask about "English Andy". Although he has been away for many years, he will be truly missed but always remembered.
I would like to share some pictures of his visit here if anyone is interested. And I would like to leave my email address for his sister and family for further correspondence.
Marilyn Arnold
marilynarnold4 AT gmail.com

 

[lelly]

boo boo.Andy balcer.

hi marilyn, it's lelly boo's sister, i've sent u an e.mail,i've spoken/told them of your post note,they are all glad you got in contact again.the family would love any photo's you have of boo, please keep in contact, lelly and the family..x

 

[Maggot]

I would like to share some pictures of his visit here if anyone is interested.

I would love to see some pictures if you want to post them up, and I'm sure others would to.

 

[lolasma]

I would like to share a couple of pictures of Andy during 1981 and 1982 in Houston, but they are downloaded in my personal file and do not have a URL - at least I don't think so. Can you tell me what I need to do......
Thanks

 

[lolasma]

posting pictures

I have the pictures downloaded in my photo files, but it says I need a URL to post them - can you tell me what I need to do.

 

[Mrs Magpie]

You need to upload them to a site like photobucket or flickr.

 

[lolasma]

pics of Andy

Learning more everyday.....thanks!

Hope these come through

 

[Mrs Magpie]

Well, not quite, but the URL you posted led me to these four photographs so I'm putting them up on this post. My goodness, Andy in his youthful prime! They're fantastic! Thank you so much.

 

[lolasma]

more pictures

Added a couple more pictures at the Flickr account if you are interested. Having such a wonderful time going thru all the pictures and remembering all the wonderful times.

 

[Mrs Magpie]

Fantabulosa!

 

[CaroleMc]

I was shocked to hear about the death of my dear friend Boo. This news came to me via his sister Lelly who managed to put me back in touch with Boo after years of searching for him.

I had known Boo since we were both 11 years old, when my parents took the decision to move from London to a town called Andover, that I had never heard of. There I met Andrew as he was known then. We were in the same class and in our final years we were in the same maths group. We both had an aversion to maths. We spent those maths years reading fashion magazines, rehearsing plays and singing Motown songs. Added to this, eating Crawford Cheddar biscuits and Pork pies, along with 2 other girls Gaynor Reeves and Tina Symmonds.

Boo was one in million. He had a wicked sense of humour, always had us in stitches. Looking at the photos that have been posted brought back great memories and also tears to my eyes.

The saddest thing of all was that when I spoke to Boo, we were making plans for him to meet up with all his old school friends and he was really looking foward to it. I found him only to lose him for ever.

Boo was a true friend and I will miss him.

RIP Boo, I was privilaged to have known you.

 

[PhaedraSh1]

I'm a blast from the past!

Hi Lelly and All,

Boo and I go way back but with a very unusual connection. I hadn’t seen him in over 30 years.

In the mid 1970s, I was about 9, my mother married one of his brothers, so Boo was my step-uncle. Their relationship did not last but I remember Boo and the rest of the family. They were all very welcoming of me and my brother.

We were accepted into Boo’s large family and we all remember them. It’s funny I always think of Boo’s parents, (my ex-step-grandparents), at Easter-time because they used to give all the kids hand-made chocolate eggs with sweets (yummy!) – that has stuck with me, and that Boo was very supportive. He was not much older than me so when I went to secondary school I was there with my Aunt Lelly, Uncle Boo and cousins. I remember Boo and Lelly saying if anything happened to me they would stick up for me and they did. Boo’s best friend at school later became my sister-in-law (now ex), she is the one from the maths lesson we would all like to have been in! We are still friends, she told me of his sudden death.

This is a message to all the family from my mother, brother and myself:

We are very sorry to you all for your loss of a wonderful person who, from an early age, was true to himself, and went on to be brilliant where ever he was.

Goodbye Boo – Thank you for being a positive in a period that was negative, and continuing that throughout your life. We have never forgotten you. RIP

PhaedraSh1

 

[Nellieo]

Boo

Like my CarolMc, I knew Boo from the age of 11, when starting at Secondary School, and what a character he was, always full of mischief.

My fondest memory is when we were in our English class, and being asked to read in front of everyone. I was so nervous. I'd never been a good reader and had to have extra lessons. The thing is Boo seemed to have a second insight into my struggle, and after reading the pastage I was set I looked up from my book and my eyes meet Boo's, he gave me the most brilliant wink I have ever had, it made me feel so special, and he made me feel as though I'd achieved something (I can't believe I'm crying while writing this). Its amazing that something so small could mean so much, but that was Boo 'The little things go a long way'

Boo was a very special person and like the saying goes "Only the good die young", I will always have my fond memory and many others over the 5 years in the same form group.

My thoughts are with Boo's family at this sad time.

Love to you all
Eileen
x

 

[Suzi Stubbs]

Andy "Boo" Balcer

I was very saddened to hear the news that Boo had passed away. Although I had not seen him for years, I do remember him well. He always had a larger than life personality and a fabulous sense of humour. At our 10 year school reunion, he didn't recognise me at all I was so different to when I had left school (bit geeky looking back then). Boo told me that I had completely blossomed, I never forgot that. I am sure he will be greatly missed, expecially my our mutual friend Carole McLeod (now Barlow). My thoughts are with his family and close friends. RIP Boo. (Sue Flood) now Stubbs.

 

[lelly]

boo boo. Andy balcer.

Boo's sister lelly,again thank you all for your kind thoughts on the loss of our beautiful brother boo. carol i know he will always hold you close in his heart as we do. lelly and the family. x

 

[Mazbumpkin]

Lovely Man

So sorry that we never got to see you again Boo, you're not suppose to go yet you're too young. Carol sent me a pic of you and told me that she'd managed to get in touch. We were suppose to be arranging to meet up after all these years. The last time I saw you was when I was walking home and you were in a taxi going through town. We spotted each other and you blew me a kiss! That's my last memory of you and I really wished that I'd have been able to see you on that occasion. My fondest memories of you are when we all use to meet in the White Hart before going to "Funk Night" at the Bumpkin. The crowd at the time was you, Carol, Ian, Donna Gibbs, me and I'm sure that there was another guy whos name I can't remember! Those were the days eh! The picture of you sitting with you arms folded and glasses on brought tears when I looked at it, as it's how I remember you. I hope that you're in a better place now and maybe I'll catch up with you later! Loads and loads of love "Boo" Bye for now - Marylin (Maz) XXXXXX.

 

[chippbe]

Andy Balcer the is a sadder place without you

I met Andy through my now husband. Andy made me feel like a part of Brixton for which I will always be greatful for.
He made my tiara and made me beautiful on my wedding day. He was a great friend, a great poet and a truly caring lovable person. RIP Andy x

 

[lelly]

I just want 2say,THANK YOU 2 EVERY ONE,it's Lelly,boo's ANDYS sister.the day was filled with tears,story's,and laughter, so many names 2many 2mention,we met lots of beautiful people that knew boo our brother (ANDY) please if any one can help i met and feel so bad i cant remember their names they flew from Ireland i gave them my e.mail add,they wer goin 2 send me some pics of Boo (andy) urban thank you, your the best xxx

 

[Mrs Magpie]

I couldn't go because I was invigilating in an exam, but I thought of him all day. A lovely man, the mark of whom was all the many people that loved him. Always the sign of a life well-lived, I think.

 

[spitfire]

It was a hell of a send off. Bye bye Vada. x

 

[Mrs Magpie]

It would be great if there was a book of his poems.

 

[Anthony Procek]

Well, not quite, but the URL you posted led me to these four photographs so I'm putting them up on this post. My goodness, Andy in his youthful prime! They're fantastic! Thank you so much.

What fantastic photos! I got to know Andy and his best friend Mark (nickname Fliss) when he lived in Brighton around 1980/81. Both worked as hairdressers then, and sometimes Andy cut my hair, sometimes Mark, and we all hung out in The Curtain Club where John Arnold, Marilyn's husband, was the DJ. Happy, innocent times. Andy was quite simply the best dancer I had ever seen. Although Mark was more my friend, I knew Andy well too, and loved his great one-liners and cheeky sense of humour.

 

[editor]

He's still very much missed around Brixton.

 

[RaverDrew]

Very

 

[gabi]

Ah, good bump. Makes me homesick for brixton remembering that dude. Didnt know him that well but always had a good laugh with him when we crossed paths out the back of the albert *such* a primadonna... in a good way.