Legendary Boston Bruins and Red Sox sportscaster Tom Larson dies aged 84

Legendary Boston sportscaster Tom Larson has died at the age 84.

Larson's son, Jeff, told the Boston Globe that his father passed away from cancer complications on Wednesday in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Larson was beloved in the New England area for his coverage of the Bruins.  

Born Lanny Lee Larason, the sportscaster adopted his screen name in 1969. Larson moved to Boston after stints in Peoria, Illinois and Lasing, Michigan.

During the 1969-70 season, Larson became the host of the Bruins' pregame and postgame studio program on Boston's Channel 38.

Larson's career took off in Boston as the Bruins won the Stanley Cup in 1970 and 1972.

In 1981, Larson famously vowed to not shave his beard until they won the prestigious trophy again. 

Larson kept his word as the Bruins failed to win the title for the next three decades.

'They were calling me 'Pinko', 'Commie' and [saying] how they couldn't enjoy watching the hockey game because Larson had a beard and all of this,' Larson said.

'But it struck me that if I said I wouldn't shave it until the Bruins won the Stanley Cup, the reaction would be different. It would be, "Yeah Larson, alright!" Now it's connected with Bruins success.'

When Larson finally shaved his beard in 2011, he said he had grown accustomed to keeping it while waiting for another title. Larson laughed and said he would probably grow it back. 

'I had no idea it was going to be 30 years,' Larson admitted.

Larson served as the sports director for WHDH radio from 1981-1988. 

He then went on to work for the New England Sports Network as a contributing writer and television host for the Red Sox.