Posted on 01/10/2013 10:16:45 AM PST by massmike
Boston TV icon Rex Trailer died Wednesday night, his family announced on his website Thursday.
Trailer, 84, was the host of the popular children’s television show “Boomtown,” on WBZ-TV from 1956 to 1974. The program often included children with disabilities in the studio audience.
Trailer, who lived in Sudbury, was in Florida for Christmas visiting his sister when he came down with pneumonia and went into the hospital.
His family issued this brief statement:
Rex Trailer left this earth peacefully last night surrounded in love and song by his family. Rex had been in Florida for the holidays when he became ill into the New Year. While everyone’s prayers and support have been of great comfort to Rex, he decided it was time to go home. Rex and family thank all of you and love you.
A memorial service in honor of Rex to give tribute to his life and legacy is being planned in the near future but for now, the family requests privacy.
(Excerpt) Read more at boston.cbslocal.com ...
He was a truly good man. We kids in New England were fortunate to have had him.
RIP Rex
I knew every one of 'em.
“I think it’s altogether fitting to sing our fasrewell to a wonderful man and patriot.”
Thanks a lot, knarf, that one did it... damn screen.
That was THEIR last public appearance ... damned screen AND keyboard.
This gettin' old stuff sure has some tough times in it.
My parents took me to see Bozo when he made a personal appearance,and they told me that Bozo had held me in his arms.(I have no memory of that...I was only a baby...and,of course,NEITHER of my parents thought to take a picture! I have to take their word for THAT one).
But I DO remember seeing both Willie Whistle AND Romper Room's Miss Jean at the Christmas Parade in Quincy.(That must have been around '69 or '70).Two things stand out in my memory about that:
1)- Santa Claus was supposed to show up at the end of the parade,but never made it,
and
2) - My dad making an observation about how well-developed Miss Jean was.Now all these years later,I must agree! ;)
We used to go see Rex up at Pleasure Island in Wakefield.
And don’t forget Bob Emery, aka Big Brother!
It’s scary to think that when I was a kid watching him he was younger than I am now!(...but just barely!)
That one I don't recall. It must have been just before my time.
Rex’s show was not to be missed. The biggest memory, and mystery of his show was the ride from the bunk house to Boomtown each week. Rex and Pablo would meet at the bunk house and show a few cartoons between their dialog. Then it would become time for Rex to saddle up onto Goldrush, his trusty steed, and Pablo woud jump up into his horse pulled wagon. They would then race through the hills over what seemed like miles to get down to Boomtown. No matter how fast Goldrush and Rex would ride, Pablo was always already there before Rex. Unbelievable, How did Pablo ever beat those guys? and every week too. I’m still trying to figure it out.
Rex was truly a great man. Every year Rex would run a trip for Spring Break for kids, and parents, and grandparents to travel to Southern California to see Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, and Sea World. I always wanted to go, but never made it. Now I live here in Southern Califronia and go to those places quite often. It is like a childhood dream come true. Every time I go to these places I think of Rex.
Rex, thanks for being a great man and inspiring so many people. You will be greatly missed.
“This gettin’ old stuff sure has some tough times in it.”
And they’re gonna get tougher. That’s why when someone asks, I can only give them advice cause I’m getting too old to set a bad example.
“And don’t forget Bob Emery, aka Big Brother!”
The grass is always greener in the other fellow’s yard...!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.