R.I.P. Edgewood Joshua Smith
Photo by Paul Van Antwerp
We are crushed at Perfect Duluth Day to learn our great friend Edgewood Smith died on July 15.
On PDD he went by the handle “Edgeways” and was one of the earliest contributors to the website. He also frequently DJed The Local on KUMD, using the moniker DJ-E.
Edgewood was employed for 18 years providing services to people with disabilities and was also an advocate for them as a volunteer. In addition, he served as an election judge in Duluth, was a member of the Duluth Public Arts Commission and helped to restore Sacred Heart Music Center, among other contributions to the community. He was a graduate of Northland College in Ashland.
He was born Joshua Aaron Samuel Smith, and officially changed his name to Edgewood Joshua Smith when he married Bridget Riversmith 22 years ago, though he had been going by Edgewood long before that.
I will sing profanity-laced songs all day in honor of my fellow Lake Superior Cacophonic Choir member.
Josh! Like eight years ago he told me that Edgewood was his actual non-nickname name. So that tricker’s original name was Josh. I’m going to have to have some words with him in the afterlife someday.
Here’s a Local Show Edgewood did during this past Homegrown.
Rest in peace. Didn’t know him well, but struck me as a really good guy.
Edgewood was a good friend of mine. A gentle soul. A smart and beautiful man with many varied interests. My heart is broken. I send hope and love to his wife and friend Bridget.
Sad day. He was my friend. A sweet, intelligent big guy with an equally sized heart. One of those people who you only needed to hang out with once and it felt like you’d known him all your life. He will be missed and my heart goes out to Bridget.
I can’t believe this post – I knew Edgewood from swirling in the same professional circle of work – community and civic minded – all around great guy! I sure will miss him!
I enjoyed working with him very much. This is a loss that will be felt in many places for some time to come.
My beautiful, talented, brother died by suicide on Wednesday night. Edgewood loved Duluth, so very much. So much so, I was drawn from Nashville to spend a year with him here. I know he has abundant friends and colleagues about, if anyone needs to talk – or anything, call me, let’s be here for each other: 615-717-8233. xoxo.
I worked with Edgewood when he did a stint on the Public Arts Commission – he brought a lot of passion to the table. His suicide opens an uncomfortable space all I can do is stare into.
Stronger than me.
A celebration of Edgewood’s life, with live music by a handful of local acts, is set for Aug. 23 at Sacred Heart. Here is a link to the Facebook invite.
Thank you for this article! I was searching for memories of my older brother online. I’m so happy I found this!
I remember sitting in his lap at a young age watching everything he did and copying him. I thought he was so cool. That never changed through the years. I miss him. 🥺