EDWARD J. SPARKS OBITUARY
Edward J. Sparks, The Man Behind the ScenesEdward J. Sparks passed away peacefully at his home on Martha’s Vineyard in the arms of his loving and devoted wife of 28 years, Kathy Dwyer.Ed was born May 28,1946 in Medford, MA, to Rita and Richard “Bud” Sparks, who, along with his brother Richard, predeceased him. He is survived by his sister Brenda, her husband, Steve Sanchez, his sister-in-law Linda Sparks, and his nieces and nephews: Jamie Sparks, Jessica (Sparks) McCarthy, Caroline Sanchez, and Steven Sanchez. Ed also leaves behind his beloved and caring wife Kathy Dwyer, and his loving and talented son Ben Sparks. Ed was a financial wizard who discovered his love of accounting and economics at Babson College, from which he graduated in only three years with a degree in Accounting and Economics. At Babson, he was elected Senior Class President as well as Social Chairman.Ed eventually started his own Accounting Firm and built this practice to a 17-person firm by the age of 28. Always looking for the next challenge, Ed led a successful IPO for Energy Exchange. As part of his Accounting practice, Ed often bought struggling businesses, one of which was Echo Records. It was here that he met Patrick Lyons. When the company American Events put their nightclub, Boston Boston, up for sale in 1981, Ed orchestrated a group of investors to purchase it, representing Ed and Patrick’s first business venture. This was the beginning of a tremendous friendship and successful partnership that spanned 45 years.In his decades as one of Boston’s successful entrepreneurs, Ed kept a low profile, preferring to let others carry the public persona of the companies that he and Patrick developed. Ed worked endless hours behind the scenes to create and grow the Lyons Group. Because he genuinely considered the people that were part of that group to be family, Patrick aptly describes Ed as the ‘father’ of the Lyons Group. In this paternal role, Ed helped launch the careers of many successful entrepreneurs in Boston and around the United States. As Ed Kane, Founder of Big Night Live, said, ‘One of Ed’s best qualities was that he was a mentor to so many industry people and openly shared advice and help.’ Ed’s ability to deal with adversity with a little humor and a lot of compassion reached many people far beyond Lyons Group. This Boston-based hospitality empire started on Lansdowne St. and included Avalon, Spit, Metro, Mama Kin with Aerosmith, Zanzibar, and House of Blues with Issac Tigrett, where Ed ultimately served on the Board of Directors. Their empire eventually expanded to 41 businesses in six states and today consists of restaurants — with the 31 year ‘young’ Sonsie as their first —Kings Bowl, and the first nightlife offerings at Mohegan Sun. Further, they introduced Boston to the first block party on Lansdowne Street, leading to Phantom Gourmet events and so much more. In addition to being a successful entrepreneur, Ed was devoted to his wife Kathy and son Ben. He was blessed to have spent significant time with family over the last few years, enjoying rounds of golf with his wife Kathy at Estancia in Arizona and Farm Neck on Martha’s Vineyard, or, given his deep love of music, enjoying playlists created by his son, Ben. Ed had an infectious smile and beautiful blue eyes that could light up a room. He had an ability to make people feel supported, loved and listened to. Ed slowed down in recent years due to Parkinson’s’, but he never lost his sense of humor, continuing to play jokes on his family until the end. The dynamic ‘go getter,’ family man, and amazing ‘Spark’ that was Edward J. will be missed by all who were blessed to have him in their lives.
