Gary Beecher “Beech” Johnson, 78, died tragically by suicide this past January.

For the past 35 years, he lived in Bridgton. Raised in Bethany, Conn., Beech had a difficult and traumatic childhood, a burden he never fully overcame or healed from. Due to life circumstances, he dropped out of high school at the age of 16. He later earned his GED, graduated with honors from Wesleyan University and went on to receive a Master’s in Education from Antioch University.

Throughout his life, Beech worked a wide variety of jobs — from dairy farm work, ice cream sales, and jet engine assembly in his early years, to carpentry, elementary school teaching, long-haul trucking, and ferry operations later in life.

Beech was a unique soul — creative, goofy, egoistic, emotional. He had a deep appreciation for science and the natural world. When the weather allowed he regularly swam across Highland Lake, and when the weather did not, he swam laps at St. Joseph’s College pool with friends.

He was predeceased by his parents, Dorothy (Goodrich) Johnson and Warren Johnson, and his sister, Janette (Johnson) Flynn.

He is survived by his former wife of 48 years, Ann, his daughters Liz and Cate, and his cat Alfie. He also leaves behind many loose ends and unanswered questions.

In his memory, please consider donating to Lakes Environmental Association in Bridgton, or Harvest Hills Animal Shelter in Fryeburg.

If you or someone you know is at risk of suicide, SpeakingOfSuicide.com offers many resources for support.