‘Everyone loved him’ – tributes after dad’s tragic death at gym
AFATHER-OF-TWO has died after collapsing while he was on the treadmill at the gym. Staff carried out CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) on 40-yearold Gareth Parry and he was taken to hospital after he collapsed.
Mr Parry, who had two young children, worked as a deputy headteacher and was a keen sportsman.
His father-in-law Dennis Pritchard described him as “kind, generous and loving”.
He said: “Gareth was a dedicated family man.
“He was as unbelievably kind, generous and loving person as you would come across.
“He would do anything for anyone.”
Mr Parry, who was deputy headteacher at Ysgol Friars in Bangor, collapsed at the Arfon Leisure and Tennis Centre in Caernarfon on Wednesday.
His family thanked those who had come to his aid after he collapsed and said they were grateful for all of the support they have received.
Mr Pritchard said his daughter Zoe, who had been with Mr Parry for 17 years and married for 11 years, had been left devastated by her husband’s sudden death.
He had a 21-month old daughter, Beth, and six-year-old son, Jack.
Mr Pritchard said: “It is such a shock. He went out of the house in a jolly good mood and this has happened.
“We are all still really raw. Gareth and Zoe had their 11-year wedding anniversary last week.”
Mr Parry grew up in Llanrug near Caernarfon and took on jobs including working as a PCSO and at an oil depot before he switched to a career in teaching.
He worked as a primary school teacher in mid Wales before working as a maths teacher at Ysgol John Bright in Llandudno.
From there, he moved to Ysgol Friars in 2007 to work as deputy headteacher.
Mr Pritchard said: “He was a real brainbox.
“He was a highly respected teacher and everyone loved him.
“I don’t think I have ever heard a bad word about him.
“Everyone loved him and he loved everybody as well.”
Outside of teaching, Mr Parry was a keen sportsman who had represented Wales in weightlifting as a youth.
Mr Pritchard said he would still work out “three or four times a week”.
“In his day he played rugby and football regularly,” he added.
Mr Parry had also just completed a coaching course and was planning to set up an under-sevens football team in his local area after finding nowhere for his son to play.
Gwynedd Council confirmed that staff at the leisure centre had administered CPR on Mr Parry.
A council spokesman said: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends at this very sad time.”