By Cary Shuman
Jim Lederman, the legendary “Voice of the Vikings” for decades and a sportswriter for the Winthrop Sun Transcript, died Tuesday at his home in Winthrop following a brief illness. He was 81.
Lederman was the well-known public address announcer at Winthrop High School football games at Miller Field. He loved his perch in the press box and would enthusiastically state the names of Winthrop players, often assigning catchy nicknames to Vikings such as “Touchdown” Tony Palmer and Joey “The Jet” Murray, to name but a few.
Anthony “Butch” Martucci, a former Viking football player, said Lederman’s calls of the players who made a key tackle, rushed for a first down, caught a pass, or scored a touchdown – were enjoyed by the players and the spectators.
“As a kid growing up in Winthrop, all we wanted to do was get our name announced over that speaker by Jim Lederman,” recalled Martucci. “I can remember like it was yesterday the first time he said my name. The first time I heard my name over that speaker as a Viking, it was one of the greatest days, ever. I had heard him call the names of older kids, and when I finally got my chance, that meant the world to me to hear him say my name.”
Gus Martucci, Butch’s older brother, was a close friend and adviser to Jim Lederman, who would often speak of the joy that Gus brought into his life through his generosity and kindness.
“Jim was a good man,” said Gus. “We got along famously. Jim always wanted to do good for the kids, raise funds for uniforms and support football, basketball, and hockey. He loved all Winthrop sports.”
Gus said he first met Jim Lederman when he was playing center for the Vikings and ultimately helping Winthrop win its first Super Bowl in 1981.
“It’s the end of an era,” said Gus. “Jim was a legend. He spent a lot of years in that press box. He was a big supporter of the Winthrop High Hall of Fame and a member of the Light Up Miller Field Committee. He was always trying to do more for Winthrop kids and sports and the town. That’s the way he was. It’s a tough loss, but he had been battling serious health issues for a while. Jim’s in a better place.”
Former Winthrop High School football Sean Driscoll said he was saddened by the passing of Jim Lederman.
“Jim was always very supportive and very loyal to Winthrop High, not only in football, but to all sports,” said Driscoll. “I also think the way he promoted the high school athlete to other people – you don’t see that in a lot of small towns. He could be controversial at times, but Jim would take a bullet for you, for sure.”
Attorney-at-law and Winthrop basketball great Chris Tsiotos reflected on his longtime friendship with Jim Lederman.
“I feel so bad about his passing – God rest his soul,” said Tsiotos. “Jimmy always meant right. He was one of the founders of the Winthrop Hall of Fame. He was the sponsor of the Lederman Club in the Winthrop Summer Basketball League with great players like Randy Herdt and John Dowd. He was one of the original founders of that league, so his connection to Winthrop sports goes way back. That’s when I first met Jimmy. I was a sophomore in high school playing for the City team, and we played against the Lederman Club. He was a real supporter of Winthrop sports, a great writer, and he helped promote our athletes in the local and Boston newspapers.
“The great Bob Remer covered our basketball teams for the Transcript and then Jimmy took after him,” said Tsiotos. “This is a sad day for Winthrop athletics.”
Winthrop High three-sport star Mike Eruzione, who went on to achieve international fame as an Olympian, said Jim Lederman was “very supportive of all our athletic programs in the town.”
“He was a big part of the program,” said Eruzione. “He didn’t miss any of our football games, that’s for sure. He was the Voice of the Vikings. He will be missed.”
Town Council President Jim Letterie said, “I’m sorry to hear about Jim Lederman’s passing. He was incredibly passionate about Winthrop High School and Winthrop High School football. Along with his weekly articles in the Winthrop Transcript, Jim was all that’s good about Winthrop. I offer my deepest respects to his family. I wish them well in their time of grief.”
Jim Lederman and his wife, Carol Lederman, shared close to 60 years of marriage. He leaves two daughters, Sarah Lederman and Elizabeth Roessler, a granddaughter, Jamie, 24, who was named in Mr. Lederman’s honor, and a grandson, Michael, 21, a member of the United States Marine Corps stationed in California.
A celebration of Mr. Jim Lederman’s life will be held in the spring.