ABOVE PHOTO: Ordained minister, community leader Paul “Earthquake” Moore
By Napoleon F. Kingcade
Paul “Earthquake” Moore is gone. The 62-year-old former boxer and longtime community activist died on Friday, January 15, after a four-year battle with colorectal cancer. He passed away on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, a man that he dearly loved and idolized.
During his years serving as an ordained minister and a community leader in Southwest Philadelphia, Moore always dedicated himself to doing a re-enactment of Dr. King’s famous march in Selma, Alabama.
Moore would gather up people around his Southwest Philadelphia neighborhood and meet at the 12th District Police Station where they would begin the re-enactment.
Led by a police escort, Moore would lead a team of marchers on Woodland Avenue followed by members of the media. The march would always draw a large crowd of people that would watch and cheer loudly for the marchers.
The march would end at the steps of New Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church at 70th and Woodland Avenue. Moore would thank all his marchers, then say a little prayer with them.
During his final days fighting cancer, Moore managed to use the same energy to help a lot of people to get back on their feet. Through his charity work, Moore was known as the “People’s Champion.” His granddaughter, Maggie Moore, once designed a mini poster honoring him that read: “The People’s Champion.’ She brought the poster to her grandfather in the hospital in 2018. He was so touched it brought tears to his eyes watching his granddaughter’s poster hung on the wall of his hospital room.
Since 1976, Moore always held his annual Turkey Day Run to raise food and turkeys for poor and needy families. He also dressed up as Santa Claus as he delivered toys and gifts to children and families during the Christmas holidays. He always brought holiday cheers to needy families.
In addition, Moore ran a neighborhood boot camp to help mentor kids.
TV news stations did coverage on Moore for over three decades. Channel 6 Action News, Fox 29 News and NBC-10 News were always on the trail whenever Moore did something that was news breaking in the city. He also led his fight against crime and violence, marching in the name Dr. King and led his campaign to tear down make-shift memorials around the city. He was a fighter for the people. He promoted unity, peace and love in the city. Moore became an ordained minister to save more souls in his community. There was no question — Moore had done a lot for the City of Brotherly Love.
Moore can be remembered as a man who never gave up his fight against cancer. He fought cancer until his final days on earth. Moore was a believer that he could beat this deadly disease.
Before he went into the hospital for the final time, Moore entertained the kids at a Walmart store in South Philadelphia. He was dressed up as the community Santa Claus. On that day, Moore barely had enough strength to sit in a chair. He was taken to the hospital that night where he stayed two weeks under a doctor’s care.
It was discovered the cancer had taken control of his body. There was nothing any doctor could do. He was given three days to live. He was discharged from the hospital and sent home to hospice.
He spent his final days with his family and friends. Moore died on Friday morning, January 15, shortly after 8 AM.
There was no doubt, Paul Moore lived his final days doing all the things he loved. He never missed a beat. Today, Paul “Earthquake” Moore leaves behind a great legacy. Councilman Kenyatta Johnson has plans to introduce a resolution honoring his life and legacy. There are also people who want a street named after the longtime community leader.
As of press time, funeral arrangements are still pending.
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