Body of Massachusetts man who fell through ice on Cape Cod recovered; services and charitable foundation announced for couple

A Massachusetts man who fell through ice on Cape Cod last weekend has been recovered.

According to Eastham Police, on Friday, an additional extensive search operation was conducted at Bee’s River. This large scale, multiagency search included personnel and assets from the Eastham Police and Fire Departments, Barnstable County Technical Rescue and Dive Team, Barnstable County Sherrif’s Office, Massachusetts Department of Fire Service, and Massachusetts State Police Dive Team and K9 Unit. Units began arriving at 7am to take advantage of a mid-morning low tide. Ice conditions had significantly subsided and allowed for a much easier search by land at low tide. Multiple drones provided an ariel search of the area as well. At approximately 9:30 a.m., Gerald Boucher’s body was located by members of the Barnstable County Fire Department Technical Rescue Team in the marsh area approximately half a mile to the northeast of the Bee’s River parking lot.

On Saturday morning, Kathleen “Kit” Boucher and Gerard “Jerry” Boucher fell through the ice at First Encounter Beach while walking their dog. Kit’s body was located on Saturday.

According to an obituary, in 2008, the Connecticut couple described as best friends “moved to Eastham and fully embraced Cape Cod life—from long beach walks and projects in Jerry’s barn to local activism. Kit became a later-in-life athlete with the Cape Cod Athletic Club and a dedicated volunteer for IFAW. Jerry served the Eastham community by driving seniors to appointments, rebuilding the Council on Aging deck, and sharing the history of the Eastham Windmill with visitors.”

Service Information

● Visiting Hours: Friday, February 27, from 3:00 to 5:00 PM; Saturday, February 28, beginning at 9:00 AM at St. Joan of Arc Church, Orleans, MA.

● Memorial Mass: Saturday, February 28, at 11:00 AM at St. Joan of Arc Church, Orleans, MA.

● Reception: A reception will follow immediately in the Church Hall.

● Burial: Burial will be private in West Hartford at a later date.

Memorial Donations: The family invites those who are moved to contribute to Kit & Jerry’s Foundation for Good (www.kitandjerry.org). The foundation was established to ensure their hardworking hearts continue to do good in their community. The first mission will be purchasing beds for a local shelter—the final project Jerry was quietly planning.