Respected cameraman Therman Toon, 61, dies

Therman “Noot” Toon passed away at his Dorchester home Monday at the age of 62. Present were his wife Cathy, his daughter Nicole, and his son, Marlon in addition to many other family members and friends.

Therman, the youngest son in a family of 11, will be remembered as a pioneering black TV news photographer. He was the first black TV news photographer in New England. He began his career in 1968 with Channel 7 (then WNAC-TV), covering race riots in Boston that followed the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Therman’s courage and determination ensured safe access for all media in the most strife-torn sections of Boston. Therman’s 37-year career at Channel 7 included coverage of most of the major stories and events that shaped and changed the New England region.

His award-winning assignments included coverage of court-ordered school desegregation in Boston; The Delta plane crash at Logan Airport (1972); The Claus Von Bulow trials; Walpole Prison Riots (included interviews with Albert DiSalvo “The Boston Strangler”); The Red Sox pennant victory ecstasy and World Series despair (1975); The great Chelsea fire (1976); Boston’s bi-centennial celebration and the parade of the tall ships (1976); the blizzard of ’78; the 1980 presidential campaign; NAACP national conventions (New Orleans, Baltimore, Boston); “Louis Farrakhan; Eye of the Storm” (1985); the visit of Queen Elizabeth to Boston (1989); the Charles Stuart murder case (1989); South African Anglican Archbishop Tutu’s visit to Boston (1990); The great art heist (1990); the Charlestown dock fire (1995); the nanny trial (1998); JFK Junior memorial coverage (1999); 9/11 and its aftermath.

Therman Toon’s professional and community achievements have been recognized with numerous Boston Press Photographer awards, The Black Achiever Award, and the NATAS “Silver Circle Award” for lifetime achievement.

“Noot”, as he was affectionately called, is remembered with respect by his co-workers and competitors for his professionalism, dedication and compassion.

“Because he came from such a large family, there was literally nowhere in the state you could go where someone did not know him by name,” said Carmen Fields, reporter/anchor 1979-1986 now spokesperson for KeySpan. “As a reporter, that cache sometimes meant access and an interview from someone who would have declined, if I was not accompanied by Therman. He’s probably the best ambassador Channel 7 ever had.

“If you were a reporter and had Therman with you as your photographer, it usually would be an easy day — just let Therman do his thing,” said Jim Thistle, former Channel 7 News Director; Director of Broadcast Journalism, Boston University.

“He knew everybody, how to get any place, and who was worth talking to and who wasn’t. And, if you couldn’t think of a good question, Mr. Toon always could. ‘Toon’ was a pioneer in terms of Black Street TV news photographers in a city and at a time that was not always easy and he was universally respected by his colleagues. Personally, I will miss his great sense of humor which he always maintained through the best and worst of times. He brightened the Channel 7 newsroom for a very long time, as did his pictures on Boston TV news.”

“Therman was a good friend from my first day as a reporter at Channel 7 back in 1970 until the last days of his life,” said Garry Armstrong, former Channel 7 reporter. “We partnered up on many of those major stories in my 31 years at Channel 7, including those difficult times during the forced busing period when we were the targets of vitriol, rocks, bottles and spit.

“Through journalistic heaven and hell, “Noot” took good care of me, making sure I got the story right and that I looked good before going on camera.

“I may have been the ‘celebrity’ but Therman clearly was the star known by seemingly everyone from presidential candidates to sports stars to the biggest and brightest names in medicine, religion and law to the “perps” who would yell out ‘Hey, Toon!! How ya doin’, man?’ as they were led into jail or court.

“When my celebrity lights were dimmed, Therman remained a true and compassionate friend, remembered in the end by my 9-year-old-grand daughter, Kaitlin, who used to call him ‘Mr. Toonie.’ He was one helluva man.”

Therman Toon’s work with young, aspiring journalists is also part of his legacy. He used a building he owned in Dudley Station to establish a practice studio where young people could become familiar with photographic equipment and a news studio. He spent countless hours counseling and critiquing their work.

He was a founding member of The Boston Association of Black Journalists (BABJ) in the early ’70s. The organization paid tribute to him and black pioneers at Channels 4, 5 and 2 at a scholarship benefit in 1986 called “Through Their Eyes”.

Mr. Toon is survived by his wife (Cathy), his daughter (Nicole), his son (Marlon) and 3 grandchildren, Marlon Toon, Jr; Justin Toon, and Priya Radcliffe.

Services for Therman Toon will be held Friday, September 23rd, at The Cathedral Of The Holy Cross in Boston’s South End. Viewing is 10am-11am, Funeral service is 11am-noon. Burial is at Knollwood cemetery in Canton. A Repast will follow services at the William E. Reed Auditorium on Washington Street, Grove Hall, Dorchester. Everyone is welcome.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to Cathy (Mrs. Therman Toon), his daughter, son and grand children at: 79 Howland Street, Dorchester, MA 02121.