Family Remembers Chappaqua's Bert Sugar

Bert Sugar's family remembers the hall of fame boxing writer as outgoing and involved in the community.

"He was really good in a crowd," said daughter Jennifer Frawley.

A Chappaqua resident of about 45 years, Sugar died Sunday night of cardiac arrest and had lung cancer, said his wife, Suzzane. He was 74.

He started chemotherapy treatment in October and even in the last few months he continued to write, Frawley said, explaining that he also was happy when people called. She spoke of his intelligence and his love of sports.

Suzzane Sugar remembers a husband who loved boxing and who was involved with the Chappaqua Drama Group. She described how during the nation's bicenntenial he was one of several people who took turns playing Horace Greeley.

Frawley, who grew up in Chappaqua and now lives in Pleasantville, recalls her father's interest in history, including books on Harry Houdi and the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Locally, he was involved with the New Castle Historical Society and the Chappaqua Library. He was also involved with talks and displays, she explained.

Sugar is also survived by a son, J.B., a fellow Greeley alumn. Frawley said that he now lives in New Jersey.

Sugar's death at Northern Westchester Hospital was first reported Sunday night by the Associated Press and The Journal News.

He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2005, according to its website. The hall notes that Sugar was known for his combination of a fedora and cigar. His career highlights, according to the hall of fame, included editing Boxing Illustrated in the 1970s, being editor in chief of The Ring in the 1970s-80s and having founded Fight Game magazine.

Sugar was a prolific writer, according to his hall of fame biography. His works included The 100 Greatest Boxers of All Time, and Sting like a Bee, Inside Boxing.