Salisbury Beach Lifeguard Station to be named for living local World War II Veteran Robert “Boots” Chouinard served on beaches of Normandy, and as lifeguard on DCR’s Salisbury Beach
August 26, 2025August 26, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Jessica Margiotta, Director of Communications, Office of Senator Tarr | Cell: 978-675-6109 | jessica.margiotta@masenate.gov
Salisbury Beach Lifeguard Station to be named for living local World War II Veteran
Robert “Boots” Chouinard served on beaches of Normandy, and as lifeguard on DCR’s Salisbury Beach
Salisbury (8/22/25) – Governor Maura Healey and other state and local officials will join together TODAY, Tuesday, August 26 to officially celebrate the renaming of the lifeguard station at the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s (DCR) Salisbury Beach State Reservation in honor of Robert “Boots” Chouinard, a beloved local hero, teacher, former lifeguard, and World War II veteran.
The designation, made official by legislation sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R–Gloucester) and signed into law on January 8, 2025, follows a unanimous request by the Salisbury Board of Selectmen to recognize Chouinard’s extraordinary contributions to the town and the Commonwealth.
Born in 1923 and still living in Salisbury at age 101, Robert “Boots” Chouinard began lifeguarding on Salisbury Beach after graduating high school in 1943. A U.S. Army veteran who served during World War II, Chouinard was also a schoolteacher, local newspaper columnist, and continues to be a local fixture of the Salisbury community. His nickname “Boots” dates back to childhood—given after a trip to the store in oversized winter boots—and has stuck for nearly a century.
Event Details:
WHAT: Dedication ceremony for the renaming of the Lifeguard Station at the DCR’s Salisbury Beach State
Reservation in honor of Robert “Boots” Chouinard
WHEN: TODAY, Tuesday, August 26, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
WHERE: Lifeguard Station at the DCR’s Salisbury Beach State Reservation
Salisbury Beach State Reservation, 1 State Reservation Road, Salisbury, MA 01952
Parking Lot #3
WHO:
Governor Maura Healey
Department of Conservation and Recreation Commissioner Nicole LaChapelle
Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper
Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R – Gloucester)
1st Essex Representative Dawne Shand (D – Newburyport)
Town of Salisbury Town Manager Neil Harrington
Salisbury Board of Selectmen: Chairman Donna Abdulla, Vice Chairman Terence Marengi Jr., Gil Medeiros, Michael Colburn and Wendy Kimball
Officials from the Salisbury and Newburyport Fire and Police Departments
Additional Resources:
https://malegislature.gov/Laws/SessionLaws/Acts/2024/Chapter362
https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S2701
Jessica Margiotta
Director of Communications
Office of the Senate Minority Leader | State Senator Bruce E. Tarr
Massachusetts State House, Room 308 | Boston, MA 02133
Office: 617-722-1600, ext. 1603| Cell: 978-675-6109
Email: jessica.margiotta@masenate.gov
