BOSTON — Beloved television broadcaster and former star player for the Boston Red Sox Jerry Remy has died, according to a report.
The 68-year-old died Saturday, a team source told NBC10 Boston. Remembrances for Remy poured in on social media Sunday morning.
Remy had stepped away from the NESN broadcast team midway through this season. His most recent public appearance came on Oct. 5. The longtime Boston Red Sox broadcaster made an emotional return to Fenway Park, throwing out the first pitch prior to the American League Wild Card Game against the New York Yankees.
Remy, a native of Somerset, Massachusetts, played seven seasons for the Sox in a 10-year MLB career.
He was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2008 but sent it into remission several times over the years.
When he stepped away from broadcasting in August, he told the Red Sox community, "As I’ve done before and will continue to do, I will battle this with everything I have."
Remy's family released the following statement Monday:
“First and foremost, we want to thank the Boston Red Sox and NESN for their kindness and compassion during this devastating time, especially John and Linda Henry, Tom Werner, Sam Kennedy, and Sean McGrail. They treated us like family from the day we all first met until we lost him this weekend. We are eternally grateful.
“Jerry lived and breathed Red Sox baseball. Playing for his hometown team was a dream come true, and to have the opportunity to have a second career as the voice of the Red Sox was all that he could have asked for.
“‘Thank you’ doesn’t adequately express the gratitude we feel for the fans. Over the last 13 years, we went through this ordeal with all of you rooting for us and offering words of hope. He heard you – we all heard you – and it was the love from all of you that helped him fight this battle for more than a decade. Cancer is a horrific disease, one that is all too prevalent these days. If you must endure something so grueling, there is no greater strength to help you through than that of Red Sox Nation. Dedicated and loyal until the end.
“We also want to acknowledge and thank the incredible team of doctors, nurses, and personnel at Massachusetts General Hospital who were part of Jerry’s team since 2008. Their care was nothing short of heroic and we are grateful for both their expertise and compassion.
“To many of you he was “Rem” or “RemDawg.” To us he was Jerry, or Dad, or PupPup. He loved his family endlessly and the loss we are feeling is unimaginable. As we grieve for our beloved, we respectfully ask to do so privately, but want all of you to know that your prayers and kind words are seen, felt, and appreciated by the entire family.”
The Remy family says all who wish to honor his life and legacy are invited to public visiting hours on Thursday, Nov. 4, from 2 to 8 p.m. at the Mary Catherine Chapel of Brasco & Sons Memorial, located at 773 Moody Street in Waltham.
A private gathering for family and close friends will take place on Friday, Nov. 5, from 4-8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in Remy’s memory to the Mass General Cancer Center, 55 Fruit St, Boston, MA 02114 or the Dana Farber Jimmy Fund, 450 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02215.
