LYNN– The city of Lynn recognized Joseph A. Demers after 60 years for his heroic actions at Flax Pond on Tuesday night.

Demers, a 24-year-old truck driver, rescued two young boys, Timothy J. Beary (4) and Mark R. Miner (6), from drowning in Flaxpond on March 17, 1966. 

Beary attended Tuesday’s recognition, while Miner did not. 

The boys, who couldn’t swim, had walked onto the thin ice on the pond. About 40 feet from shore, the ice gave away and the boys fell seven feet deep into the water. While Miner managed to cling to the edge of the ice, Beary slipped beneath the surface and disappeared. 

Seeing what had happened, Demers ran to the opposite side of the pond where there was a small opening in the ice near a culvert. Without even taking the time to remove his clothing, he jumped into the freezing water and made his way toward the ice. 

“Several residents were present, but only one person acted…
He did not pause, and he did not have to take the risk,” Beary stated in Demers’ recognition.  

Using his fists, Demers broke a path through it until he could get close to the hole. Miner was still holding on, but Beary was underwater. 

Demers dove beneath the surface and spotted Beary just under the ice, a few feet from the opening. He managed to grab him and bring him back up, lifting his head above water until he began to cry. 

While still holding Beary, Demers reached for Miner with his other arm. The combined weight of both boys pulled him underwater, but he was able to stand on the pond’s bottom and keep their head above water. 

He then struggled toward the shore, eventually getting to a point where he could stand more securely. From there, he carried the boys to safety and handed them to two men waiting on the bank before climbing out himself. 

“I grew up, met my wife, raised three children, and now have my grandchildren. Every one of those lives is traced back to the heroism…on the shore of Flax Pond. Joe’s a humble man,” Beary stated. “He always downplayed what he did that day, but courage doesn’t require an audience.” 

Mayor Jared Nicholson presented the modest Demers with an official citation from the mayor’s office. 

“Congratulations and a great appreciation to Joseph Demers. In recognition of the 60th anniversary of the heroic, lifesaving action at Flax Pond and further on, the entire city of Lynn extends the deepest gratitude for your active courage.” Nicholson stated. 

Demers was also given a citation from the city council, presented to him by Councilor Jordan Avery. 

“My mom and dad… instilled in me as a little boy, that I was alive because of him,” Beary shared. “So my parents stayed close to him. And we visited him several times a year, every year.” 

Beary stated that once he joined the army, serving 22 years, and moved out of state, they began to see each other only once a year. 

“But we communicate on birthdays, Christmas, all that,” Beary said. 

Beary emphasized in his speech and after the ceremony, the importance of young people in the city, understanding that their actions matter. 

“I mean, after 60 years, you don’t remember much about it and everything else,” Demers said. “I’m just glad that… my family and everybody else honored it.”