Sep 17
Obituaries: Coy Andrew Meza
BAR Staff READ TIME: 2 MIN.
May 31, 1966 – August 21, 2025
Coy Andrew Meza (né Ellison) died peacefully on August 21 at his home in San Francisco in the arms of his husband, Sal. He was 59.
Born on May 31, 1966, Coy first visited San Francisco for a summer as a teenage runaway and later returned as an adult. His early years were profiled in Joseph Plaster's book “Kids on the Street: Queer Kinship and Religion in San Francisco's Tenderloin.” He established himself as a devoted caregiver and activist who focused on preserving the history of the Tenderloin and Polk Street while championing LGBTQ+ rights.
Coy began his life as a performer under the big top, working as Boll Weevil the Clown with Ringling Brothers Circus. His natural talents as an entertainer landed him the spot as Wizzo's stand-in on the popular children's television show “Bozo's Circus.” Later in life, Coy used his fire-breathing, sword swallowing, and balloon artistry to bring attention to causes he supported, including "What You Doing Wednesdays" sponsored by the Castro Merchants Association and grassroots "Take Back the Polk" anti-gentrification marches. He was often called "the balloon guy," always carrying balloons and delighting children and adults with balloon animals—and more risqué creations while raising funds for the San Francisco Imperial and Ducal Courts and the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.
In addition to his company Balloons A Go-Go, Coy worked at several Polkstrasse bars, including The Rendezvous and Reflections, and The Gangway on Larkin Street. His caregiving talents led him to care for Bay Area Reporter founding writer Richard Walters, who often mentioned Coy and Sal's exploits in his Sweet Lips column. Coy and Sal eventually ghostwrote the column in its final years. Coy's final career was as a certified nursing assistant caregiver at OnLok.
Coy is preceded in death by his sister Penny Michas (Ted) and brother Raymond "Paul" Hughes. In addition to his husband, he is survived by his daughter, Aundraea McDaniel; sisters, Tammy Nystrom (John), Pamela Goess (Mark), and Patty Jarosz (Stan); brother, Mark Hughes; and beloved cats, Amir and Sox.
Coy's celebration of life will be held Tuesday, September 23, at the Tenderloin Museum, 398 Eddy Street, from 5 to 7 p.m. Funeral service will be Friday, September 26, at 10 a.m. at St. Martha Catholic Church in La Puente, CA.
