To the editor:
I’m sorry for being a day late and a dollar short in writing this letter. I tried to think of the best way to say thank you and work through the shock of having the road through the Harry Agganis Complex named John Hoffman Way.
As a young teenager, I met and knew Harry Agganis. I also knew, played with, and coached members of the Agganis family, which makes this honor even more meaningful.
I have many people to thank. First, my dad, “Red” Hoffman, the public address announcer for Boston’s major sports. Second, my brother Red, the award-winning sports editor for The Daily Item. They gave me the history and sports guidance to help me get involved. I thank my beloved wife Jean and my daughters, Chris and Cathy, for their time, effort, energy, support and encouragement to keep me going all these years.
I thank the “instigators,” the great friends who worked behind the scenes to make this happen: Mayor Jared Nicholson; School Committee member Lorraine Gately; Tech Hall of Famer and hockey coach Al Melanson; former Tech principal and state champion baseball coach Bart Conlon, whom I coached in Central Little League; my great friend and teammate Tom Iarribino; and Rich Avery, the keeper of the keys at Fraser Field. It’s a blessing to have such friends.
I also thank everyone who attended the dedication, as well as those who phoned, sent notes or offered congratulations. It was wonderful to see so many friends — former LPS Superintendent Cathy Latham; Sen. Brendan Crighton; Rep. Dan Cahill, whose games I announced when they starred at Classical and English; football coach and former neighbor Brian Vaughn; the athletic directors; Councilor-at-Large Brian LaPierre; Tom Bogart, whom I coached at North Shore Community College; Police Chief Chris Reddy; and Fire Chief Dan Sullivan. It truly is incredible to have so many great friends.
It’s been a great journey. I’ve had the privilege of watching and working with outstanding young women and their families who represented their schools and the city of Lynn with pride. I watched them grow into major contributors to this great city.
Finally, I thank Dave McCarthy, director at Warner Cable, and Phil Terrenzoni, leader at LETV, for putting up with me all these years. They and their families became part of the Hoffman family.
Respectfully,
John Hoffman
Lynn
