Journalist who advocated for FOIA dies at 102

Sherman London dedicated 40 years as a CT journalist

SOUTHBURY — Through his 40-year career in journalism and his involvement with the Freedom of Information Commission, Sherman London dedicated his talents to uncovering the truth and keeping the public informed.

“He was always interested in finding the truth, he was always interested in taking individuals to task for wrongdoing and he was always very concerned about the public’s right to know,” said Michael London, a Trumbull resident and Sherman London’s eldest son. “He was very concerned about the need for the public to know what was happening behind closed doors and behind local government. He was dismayed by the fact that local news coverage has shrunk over the years because he felt that he public needs to know what’s going on in their community.”

Sherman London, a Southbury resident, died May 2 from heart disease at the age of 102, according to his obituary.

Born in Waterbury, London was a graduate of Rider College (now Rider University) in Lawrenceville, N.J., where he earned his tuition and spending money by working in the kitchen of a girls’ dormitory, according to his obituary.

After graduating in three years from Rider College, London was drafted into the United States Army amid World War II where he advanced to the rank of technical sergeant. His Infantry Division was part of the United States forces to occupy Japan after the war, according to London’s obituary.

He married Arlene Dolores Freedman in 1948 and they moved into an apartment in Waterbury.

London dedicated about 40 years to working as a reporter, columnist and editor of the Republican-American newspapers in Waterbury. He was working as editor of the Republican-American’s editorial pages when he retired from his journalism career in 1988.

After retirement, London worked for the Federal Emergency Management Agency as an on-call spokesperson, serving at numerous natural disasters throughout the nation.

London was also the longest-serving member of the Freedom of Information Commission, where he served from 1996 to 2013 and heard 1,000 cases during his tenure.

Jack Kadden, a Fairfield resident who worked at the Republican-American when London was the editorial pages editor, said London devoted “so much of his time” to making sure the public had access to public information.

“That’s a cause all journalists believe in,” said Kadden, a retired editor of The New York Times. “He was a terrific journalist and he wrote what he believed in and didn’t care who he offended or upset… I’m so impressed by his career in journalism and also his efforts on behalf of the Freedom of

Information

Among the awards he received for his work as a journalist, London was the 2013 recipient of the Helen M. Loy Freedom of Information Award by the Connecticut Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, according to his obituary. He was honored by the Connecticut Council on Freedom of Information, who awarded him the Champion of Open Government Award in 2013. London also won an award from the National Truckers Association for a series of articles and commentaries he wrote that helped spur construction of Route 8 as a divided highway, according to his obituary.

In addition to his journalism, London was recognized for his service in the Waterbury community and throughout the state.

He served as a former chair of the Advisory Committee to the state’s Board of Governors for Higher Education; cochair of A Community Vision of Waterbury; a member of the Board of

Commission.”

Directors of Greater Waterbury Arts Resource Council; and a member of the Advisory Committee for the Waterbury branch of the University of Connecticut. London also lectured at the University of Hartford and served as a former president of Beth El Synagogue, where he helped create an exhibit at Mattatuck Museum that highlights the history of Jews in Waterbury.

London was honored for outstanding service to the community by the Greater Waterbury Chamber of Commerce and granted the Community Service Award by Mattatuck Community College. Also, he served as a past president of the state chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists and was named to the Connecticut SPJ’s Journalism Hall of Fame in 2007.

“He really carved a niche for himself in public life in Waterbury,” Kadden said. “Waterbury was his home and he cared deeply about it… He’s just an example of a life well lived.”

‘That real zeal for

life’

Beyond the joy his father found in journalism, Michael London said he believes people will remember Sherman London for his smile and ability to befriend people “from all walks of life.”

“He really loved people, loved learning about people and loved seeing life unfold around him,” Michael London said. “Coming back from the funeral, the first thing I wanted to do is call him up and tell him all about it. He would have been very interested to find out what people said. He was always interested in people — he was always interested in what was going on.”

Sherman London