Distinguised Member James Peckham Passes
By Gary Abbott USA Wrestling 08/24/2011 Jim Peckham, 81, an Olympic athlete and coach and long-time leader in the sport, passed away last evening in Braintree, Mass.
Peckham had been ill and was being treated in an assisted living facility in recent months.
He was inducted as a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2000 for his achievements and service to the sport.
Peckham competed in the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne, Australia in Greco-Roman. He was a nationally ranked in both freestyle and Greco-Roman during his competitive career.
He became one of the nation's top international coaches, serving as head coach for the 1976 Olympic Greco-Roman team and assistant coach for the 1972 Olympic freestyle team. He also coached on numerous U.S. teams at the World Championships, Pan American Games, World Cup other and international tours.
Peckham was also a successful college wrestling coach, guiding Harvard University for a decade, as well as coaching at Emerson College, where he also served as athletic director.
He was a legend in New England, a mentor to numerous athletes and coaches from across the region. Peckham coached many international wrestlers at the Boston YMCU. Among his athletes was Kenny Mallory of Boston, who did not wrestle in a high school program, but learned the sport from Peckham and others at the YMCU and went on to win a NCAA Div. I title for Montclair State.
During his career, he helped mentor numerous World and Olympic medalists for the United States, one of the pioneers who build the United States into a World power in our sport.
Peckham was a respected wrestling clinician, and ran a successful wrestling camp at his home, which was known for its intensity.
The Peckham family has announced arrangements for Jim Peckham. There will be a showing on Friday, August 26 at the McDonald Funeral Home at 40 Sea Street in North Weymouth, Mass, from 2-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. A memorial service will be held for Jim Peckham at the McDonald Funeral Home at 9:30 a.m. with a luncheon to follow.
The family has asked that any memorial donations be made to the Emerson College Athletic Trust Fund or to the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
A full obituary for Jim Peckham will be published in the Boston Globe, the Boston Herald and the Quincy Patriot Ledger on Thursday.
Should anyone want to send a remembrance to his wife Jean, the address 69 Harding Ave, Weymouth, MA 02188
James Cameron Peckham Bio
Peckham had been ill and was being treated in an assisted living facility in recent months.
He was inducted as a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2000 for his achievements and service to the sport.
Peckham competed in the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne, Australia in Greco-Roman. He was a nationally ranked in both freestyle and Greco-Roman during his competitive career.
He became one of the nation's top international coaches, serving as head coach for the 1976 Olympic Greco-Roman team and assistant coach for the 1972 Olympic freestyle team. He also coached on numerous U.S. teams at the World Championships, Pan American Games, World Cup other and international tours.
Peckham was also a successful college wrestling coach, guiding Harvard University for a decade, as well as coaching at Emerson College, where he also served as athletic director.
He was a legend in New England, a mentor to numerous athletes and coaches from across the region. Peckham coached many international wrestlers at the Boston YMCU. Among his athletes was Kenny Mallory of Boston, who did not wrestle in a high school program, but learned the sport from Peckham and others at the YMCU and went on to win a NCAA Div. I title for Montclair State.
During his career, he helped mentor numerous World and Olympic medalists for the United States, one of the pioneers who build the United States into a World power in our sport.
Peckham was a respected wrestling clinician, and ran a successful wrestling camp at his home, which was known for its intensity.
The Peckham family has announced arrangements for Jim Peckham. There will be a showing on Friday, August 26 at the McDonald Funeral Home at 40 Sea Street in North Weymouth, Mass, from 2-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. A memorial service will be held for Jim Peckham at the McDonald Funeral Home at 9:30 a.m. with a luncheon to follow.
The family has asked that any memorial donations be made to the Emerson College Athletic Trust Fund or to the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
A full obituary for Jim Peckham will be published in the Boston Globe, the Boston Herald and the Quincy Patriot Ledger on Thursday.
Should anyone want to send a remembrance to his wife Jean, the address 69 Harding Ave, Weymouth, MA 02188
James Cameron Peckham Bio
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