Marfan Syndrome presented obstacles to “Sonny” Edrich but didn't stop him from reaching his goals.

        “He had a rough life with it,” said his mother, Deanna Jim Edrich of Riverside. “He had a lot of surgeries — most of them in Houston. He just kept surviving one after the o ther. He was a tough kid.”

        Mr. Edrich, 32, died Saturday at Christ Hospital.

        It took him eight years, but the Elder High School graduate received two degrees — in marketing and communications — from Xavier University in 1996. Passionate about music, he also realized his dream promoting record labels for recording studios.

        The only goal he didn't achieve was getting a heart transplant.

        Marfan Syndrome is a genetic condition that weakens connective tissue and harms organs.

        Charles A. Edrich II was diagnosed with Marfan at age 7. He grew up to be tall and thin, typical of Marfan patients.

        He graduated from Elder — a school he loved — in 1988.

        Mr. Edrich worked as a label representative — promoting bands and new releases to music stores — for EMI and Mammoth Records. He also had worked for Tri-State Productions.

        In addition to his mother, survivors include his father, Charles Edrich Sr. of Riverside; a brother, Andrew Edrich of Bridgetown; and a grandmother, Dorothy Jim of Westwood.

        Visitation is 4-8 p.m. today, with a prayer of the incense service at 7 p.m. at Radel Funeral Home, 650 Neeb Road in Delhi Township. A Maronite Christian burial service is 9:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Teresa of Avila Church, 1175 Overlook Ave., Price Hill.

        Memorials: Elder High School, 3900 Vincent Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45205; or National Marfan Foundation, 382 Main St., Port Washington, NY 11050.

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