Steve Hyder, onetime radio voice of PawSox, among many other stops, died last weekend

Steve Hyder, the Newport native who rose to prominence through a radio and sports broadcasting career that spanned more than three decades, has died. He was 62.

A notice filed by Rebello Funeral Home in East Providence said Hyder died at his Rumford home on Saturday, July 20. He was voted Rhode Island Sportscaster of the Year six times by the National Sports Media Association, a product of his strong work with the Pawtucket Red Sox from 2004-12.

More: Longtime radio voice, and PawSox broadcaster Steve Hyder will be missed.

Hyder was already a veteran of multiple stops when he was hired by the PawSox, a coveted position held by several play-by-play voices who progressed to jobs in the major leagues. Hyder partnered with current Cincinnati Bengals announcer Dan Hoard for seven seasons at McCoy Stadium. Hoard paid tribute to Hyder on his personal blog the day after Hyder passed away.

“He had a razor-sharp wit, an incredible memory [especially for old TV shows], a big, booming voice, and an even bigger heart,” Hoard wrote. “I’m guessing that most of the people that knew him well consider Steve to be one of the most loyal and trustworthy friends they ever had.”

Hyder moved to the PawSox after radio jobs in Chicago, Ohio and with the former version of The Score, the all-sports talk radio station in Providence that has since been reestablished. He was the voice of Syracuse University football and basketball before accepting a position as a broadcaster with the Syracuse Sky Chiefs in 1997.

“I'm saddened we've lost former Orange basketball commentator Steve Hyder,” current Syracuse voice Matt Park posted on his personal social media account. “Steve loved sports and cracking up the people around him.”

Hyder was a star athlete at Rogers High, excelling in track and field. His career continued in college at the University of Massachusetts, where he set a program record in the shot put and completed a degree in hotel management. Hyder’s first professional foray into sports came after returning to his home state, as he was named the assistant general manager of the Rhode Island Gulls, a past entry into the United States Basketball League.

“The tradition of PawSox broadcasters is remarkable, but within it, Steve Hyder was an institution — a Rhode Island native who cared so deeply about the PawSox and Pawtucket,” Boston Globe writer Alex Speier posted on his personal social media account. “He will be missed.”

Hyder went public with his need for a kidney transplant in January 2019 . His cousin, Liz Hyder-McMorrow, was found to be a donor match some six months later. Hyder’s medical costs were partly covered by a benefit at the city’s O’Brien’s Pub, and his supporters included former Orange basketball coach Jim Boeheim, state native and professional golfer Billy Andrade and former Red Sox pitcher Lenny DiNardo.

“Hundreds of people I know, and some I didn’t know, came through,” Hyder said in an interview with the Newport Daily News. “It’s humbling. It’s overwhelming.”

Hyder leaves his longtime partner, Cathy Pacheco; his mother, Lucille Jabbour Hyder; his daughters, Eva J. Hyder and Carly Wallace; his brothers, Luke and Christopher; and several additional family members. Calling hours and funeral arrangements were private. A celebration of life will be held at a date to be announced.

Donations in Hyder’s name may be made to the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center in Newport. Visit rebellofuneralhome.com for more information.

bkoch@providencejournal.com

On X: @BillKoch25

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Steve Hyder, onetime radio voice of PawSox, among many other stops, died last weekend