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Assault outside pub is said to kill man, 32
Officials say he tried to break up a fight
Boston Globe Story 10/17/2005 By Maria Cramer and Suzanne Smalley, Globe Staff | October 17, 2005

A 32-year-old man died early yesterday morning after he was punched as he tried to break up a fight outside a West Roxbury pub, according to two law enforcement officials.

Edward Eliasson of West Roxbury was found sprawled at about 1:03 a.m. on Centre Street, where he fell and hit his head after a suspect allegedly punched him, said the officials, who were briefed on the investigation but asked not to be identified because department rules prohibit officers from speaking to the media.

''That's the type of kid he was," said his father, Edward Eliasson Sr., 54. ''He was a good kid. He would always try to stop something. . . . If there was a problem . . . he would try and go and talk."

Police said they had made no arrests, but a city official, who also was briefed on the investigation, said detectives know the assailant's identity.

The law enforcement officials said the fight was the result of an altercation that began at a Japanese steakhouse in Dedham.

The suspect was arguing with another person at Kiku Yama, on Washington Street, when they were thrown out of the restaurant by employees, the officials and a restaurant employee said.

The individuals, two men who appeared to be in their 20s, left peacefully after restaurant employees threatened to call Dedham police, said Ken Hoang, manager at Kiku Yama.

''It was some rowdy kids coming in, and we threw them out," said Hoang.

The individuals left in separate cars, officials said. The suspect allegedly followed the man he had been arguing with for a couple of miles, until they arrived at Corrib Pub and Restaurant on Centre Street. The man was with a group.

The law enforcement officials said the suspect approached the group outside of the pub, and a fight began. Eliasson, who was walking in the area at the time, saw the fight and decided to intervene after he realized that one of his friends was involved, the officials said.

''The victim was trying to intercede and make peace," said one of the officials.

The suspect then turned to Eliasson and punched him a couple of times, causing him to fall and hit his head on the pavement, according to one of the officials. When police arrived, the suspect was gone and Eliasson lay on the ground, unresponsive.

He was taken to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and pronounced dead, police said in a statement.

Eliasson lived in a West Roxbury apartment with several roommates less than a mile away from Corrib Pub. He was born and raised in Jamaica Plain and had just started a part-time job at an AM radio station, according to his father. Eliasson said he last saw his son less than two weeks ago at a local restaurant. They were celebrating the birthday of the victim's 5-year-old nephew.

''I don't know what to say besides I'm devastated," said Eliasson's sister, Kendra Curtis, 29. ''I just can't believe that this is happening. I can't believe my 5-year-old son is going to grow up without his uncle."

The death unnerved those who work around Centre Street, a busy commercial area bustling with restaurants and shops where vandalism is more common than street fights.

''It's such a horrible thing," said Philip A. Tracy Jr., an attorney for Corrib Pub and Restaurant, who said none of the people involved in the fight had entered the restaurant. ''I try to tell the kids, a fistfight can turn into a real tragedy. . . . It's a terrible, terrible thing."

Fights have become less frequent over the years as pubs have focused more on serving food than catering to the drinking crowd, said Councilor John Tobin of West Roxbury.

''My heart breaks for this kid," said Tobin. ''It sounds like he was tying to do a good thing. Your heart just breaks for him and for his family."

Peter Schworm of the Globe staff and Globe correspondent Heather Allen contributed to this report.Maria Cramer can be reached at mcramer@globe.com

West Roxbury Man Killed While Stopping Fight

(CBS4) BOSTON A man who tried to break up a fight outside a West Roxbury pub, ended up paying for his good deed with his life.

32 year-old Edward Eliasson was killed outside the Corrib Pub. Family members tell CBS4 that Eliasson went outside to have a cigarette, when he saw a group of men fighting.

The fight apparently started earlier in the night at a Dedham restaurant, then continued outside the pub on Centre Street.

According to police, Eliasson tried to step in and stop the fight. He was punched by one of the men, then fell and hit his head on the ground. He was pronounced dead at Beth Israel Hospital.

Relatives remember him as a family man, who adored his 5 year-old nephew. The little boy remembers his uncle fondly, "we would go to the aquarium, the baseball game. We'd see sharks, fish and big turtles."

Eliasson worked at a radio station and was known to have a magnetic personality, a perfect fit for his dream of someday opening his own restaurant.

"Friends were so important to him. His family. He was a good friend. A great person, " one family member told CBS4.

Eddie Eliasson will be buried next to his grandmother at Forest Hills Cemetery.

Police believe they know who is responsible, but that man has not yet been arrested.

ELIASSON, Edward "Ed"-Of West Roxbury, formerly of Jamaica Plain on October 16, age 32, suddenly, Cherished son of Janet P. (Goss) of Jamaica Plain and Edward A. Eliasson of Quincy. Loving brother of Kendra R. Eliasson-Curtis of Jamaica Plain. Devoted uncle of Kevin Michael Curtis. Also Loved by his late Nana Rose. Also survived by many aunts, uncles and cousins. Visiting hours Wednesday evening 4-8 at the Carroll-Thomas Funeral Home, 22 Oak St. Hyde Park. Children's room available. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Thomas Aquinas Church Jamaica Plain Thursday morning at 10. Internment in Forest Hills Cemetery.

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