Gary M. Simard died attempting to help rescue Gary J. Simard from drowning, Salisbury, Massachusetts, September 20, 2023. Gary, 12, struggled to swim amid a rip current in the Atlantic Ocean in water about 8 feet deep, more than 75 feet from shore. Gary extended an arm upward, signaling for help. Gary’s younger brother and their father, Simard, 44, finance manager, were alerted, and Simard entered the water. After wading a short distance, Simard then swam to Gary, who was pulled farther out by the strong current. Simard reached Gary, grasped him by an arm, and tried to swim toward shore, but the current impeded his efforts. Simard and Gary both signaled for help, and another man entered the water and reached them. Simard handed Gary to the man, then Simard, fatigued, floated on his back in the water. At some point, Simard submerged facedown and did not resurface. The man indicated that he swam with Gary toward shore, then pushed Gary toward another man in chest-deep water. Gary and the two men exited onto the beach to safety. Gary was checked by paramedics at the scene and was found to be uninjured. Simard was brought onto the beach by emergency personnel, who found him submerged and facedown in the water about 300 feet from shore several minutes later. Paramedics attempted to revive him but were unsuccessful. Simard was taken by ambulance to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He had drowned.
2023-0000108-10566Obituary
Methuen – Gary Matthew Simard, 44, of Methuen formerly of Haverhill, passed away on Wednesday, September 20 after a tragic swimming accident at Seabrook Beach.
Born in Haverhill, he was the son of Gary J. and Linda M. (Duquette) Simard. He was a graduate of St. Joseph’s Grammar School and Central Catholic High School, Class of 1997. Gary began his career working in the family business right here in Haverhill, Simard Gas and Oil Company, he then moved on to car sales at Jaffarian Motor Sales and for the past eight years he had been employed at the Lyon-Waugh Auto Group, Mini of Peabody, where he was recently promoted to Finance Manager of which he was very proud.
Gary was a loving father, son, brother, uncle and friend. He lived for his children and his loving partner of fifteen years, Alexis T. Wronski. His family was the center of his life. His happiest of times were teaching the simple pleasures of life to his children. He was a fan of the Red Sox, Celtics, and Patriots and loved taking his family to games, fishing trips with his coworkers or a play day at Foxwoods Casino. He was outgoing and had a great sense of humor. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Gary is survived by his partner and mother of his children, Alexis Tia Wronski, his children, Gary, Matthew, A.J., and Olivia Simard, all of Methuen. He also leaves his parents, Gary J. and his wife, Linda M. (Duquette) Simard of Haverhill and sisters, Kelly Simard of Haverhill and Lindsey Gentel and her husband Christopher of Haverhill and nieces and nephews Cailey and Chloe Simard and Ellie, Jett, and Stevie Gentel.