I just heard that Ed Kelly passed away last night. One of the best all around pool players to ever pick up a cue! RIP my long time buddy. :angel:
Very sad news
- Thread starter jay helfert
- Start date
Very sad, Jay, condolences for losing an old friend. I never even got to see him play. At least that I recall and I'm pretty certain I would had I seen him.
I had the pleasure of watching him play at the IPT Orlando event in 2005. He was a credit to our sport and the BCA Hall of Fame.
Sad news indeed.
Sad news indeed.
And played like God from all accounts. Some say he's in the running for GOAT but who knows... but he could flat-out play. All games.
Last edited:
I had the pleasure of meeting the man at the 2013 MC in Vegas just before the start of the BCA dinner.
Several of us were standing around talking when Eddie Kelly walked into the room and joined us. Introductions were about to be made when I said, "I know who you are, Eddie. But what I don't know is how you got the nickname "Champagne."
And he said, "It was my favorite drink. And when I won a tournament I'd buy champagne for everybody."
RIP, Eddie.
Lou Figueroa
Several of us were standing around talking when Eddie Kelly walked into the room and joined us. Introductions were about to be made when I said, "I know who you are, Eddie. But what I don't know is how you got the nickname "Champagne."
And he said, "It was my favorite drink. And when I won a tournament I'd buy champagne for everybody."
RIP, Eddie.
Lou Figueroa
Keith will be devastated when he learns about this sad news. Thank you for sharing, Jay.
Those who know him have many colorful stories to tell. I met him at the IPT King of the Hill in Orlando, Florida, December 2005, which is where this photo was taken. He was so handsome, polite and debonnaire.
Keith and Eddie were cutting up a little bit while I stood by an listened. It's that way with most of Keith's pool buddies. They share their happy memories with each other and laugh. And so did I. I think at that time, he said he was a card dealer at a Las Vegas casino.
May the angels sing to Eddie as he goes to heaven, and may he rest in eternal peace!
Those who know him have many colorful stories to tell. I met him at the IPT King of the Hill in Orlando, Florida, December 2005, which is where this photo was taken. He was so handsome, polite and debonnaire.
Keith and Eddie were cutting up a little bit while I stood by an listened. It's that way with most of Keith's pool buddies. They share their happy memories with each other and laugh. And so did I. I think at that time, he said he was a card dealer at a Las Vegas casino.
May the angels sing to Eddie as he goes to heaven, and may he rest in eternal peace!
Attachments
Here is a great read written in 2003, the year Eddie was inducted into the BCA's Hall of Fame. It was the Las Vegas Sun newspaper: Billiards World Toasts Champagne Eddie.
Sad news. Seems we are losing a lot of pool giants as of late
May he rest in peace.
The last time Eddie and I had lunch was in Dallas with Titanic Thompson.
Eddie and I were at Furrs cafeteria when Ti walked in the front door with a shotgun.
He asked the hostess politely if he could put it behind the reception desk. She of course said “yes”.
When Ti reaches our table Kelly asked “why the shotgun?”
Ti said he had heard that some tush hogs were out to rob him.
Kelly and I just laughed.
Sure will miss Kelly. What a great player.
Seems like every player I ever knew is disappearing.
Bill S.
Eddie and I were at Furrs cafeteria when Ti walked in the front door with a shotgun.
He asked the hostess politely if he could put it behind the reception desk. She of course said “yes”.
When Ti reaches our table Kelly asked “why the shotgun?”
Ti said he had heard that some tush hogs were out to rob him.
Kelly and I just laughed.
Sure will miss Kelly. What a great player.
Seems like every player I ever knew is disappearing.
Bill S.
A toast to Mr. Ed 'Champagne' Kelly..
