A 37-year-old man who was killed in a construction accident on the North Shore this week left a lasting impact on those around him, according to loved ones.
Christopher “Chris” Perry, of Lynn, died following an apparent mechanical malfunction at the Aggregate Industries facility at 30 Danvers Road in Swampscott on Monday, Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker’s office said Wednesday.
He and another worker were cleaning the rock crusher suspended above a quarry, assisted by a nearby crane when the incident happened, the office added. The other worker was not hurt.
“The fact that you are gone will get easier in time but just know you will never be forgotten,” James Burke, a friend of Perry, said on Facebook. “I’d like for other people to know how great of a person you are. I can definitely say I would not have been able to build my business as easily without all of your advise and help weather it be just a phone call or you standing right beside me you were always there for me.”
Perry, who was born in Salem and was raised in Swampscott, graduated from Essex Agricultural & Technical School in 2004, his obituary reads. A “proud member” of Laborers’ Local 22 Union, Perry was also the owner and operator of C.G.P. Landscaping in Swampscott.
“An avid outdoorsman and extreme sport adventurist,” Perry “could fix almost anything and always loved working and keeping busy,” his obituary said.
“Chris loved snowboarding, skateboarding, rollerblading, jet skiing, riding dirt bikes and his motorcycle and spending time at his vacation home in New Hampton, New Hampshire,” the obituary continued. “He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends and had recently returned from a family trip to Nassau, Bahamas.”
“If heaven wasn’t well landscaped and manicured before it will be now,” Burke continued. “Just make sure you save me a mower to ride with you. I’d also like to express my deepest condolences to all of your family and friends.”
Perry is survived by his mother Marilyn; his sister Michele (Perry) Schiller and her husband Robby of San Diego, C.A.; his brother Robert Perry, Jr. and his wife Adriana Paris of Tampa, F.L.; his niece Quinn Schiller; his girlfriend of over 3 years, Jessika Covell of Salem; his dog Lexi and his many aunts, uncles, cousins, close friends and coworkers.
Visiting hours for Perry will be held from 3-6 p.m. at Solimine Funeral Home in Lynn on Sunday, his obituary said. A funeral mass will be held at St. Pius V Church, also in Lynn, at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, followed by a burial at Swampscott Cemetery in Swampscott.
Donations in Perry’s memory may be made to the Northeast Animal Shelter in Salem. People can donate by clicking here.
Meanwhile, Perry’s death is being investigated by the Essex County District Attorney’s Office State Police Detective Unit, Swampscott Police and the Mine Safety and Health Administration. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is also investigating.
