Boston Man who Died at Save the Bay Swim was Following his Passion

JAMESTOWN, RI—A Boston man died during a charity swim across a section of Narragansett Bay near Jamestown and Newport on Sunday doing something he loved: swimming in open water and supporting a good cause by setting a good example.

Police identified the deceased as Frank Wuest, 56, of Boston, and said Monday that the cause of death appeared to be a "medical problem." An autopsy is pending.

Jamestown Police Chief Edward Mello said Wuest was pulled from the water as he was taking part in the annual Save the Bay Swim fundraiser at around 10 a.m. after he became unresponsive.

Save the Bay volunteers brought Wuest to shore where he was met by police and firefighters who performed treatment during his transport to Newport Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

Weust, who leaves behind a wife, two children and two step-children, was the president of the Boston real estate investment firm Marcus Partners, directing the Boston firm’s investments in New England.

He was also an avid swimmer, serving on the board of the New England Masters Swim Club and coordinating their many charity swims.

In a message to fellow members of the Cambridge Masters and New England Masters, the board of directors’ said that Weust was a “committed long-distance swimmer” and was a USMS Long Distance All-Star in 2009 for garnering the most points across a series of USMS open water and postal swims. He was a two-time All American USMS individual and won numerous championships.

Just recently, earlier this summer, he was the top finisher in the annual Charles River Swim.

The message said that Weust will be terribly missed and remembered for his pursuit of what’s important in life: friends, family, work, volunteering, travel, food and swimming “with passion and focus.”

Funeral services are to be announced.

In a message posted on the Marcus Partner’s website, the company said that “Frank was a highly respected real estate industry veteran, a consummate leader, a mentor to many, and above all, a man of deep integrity who truly cared for those around him.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Wuest family and the countless individuals whose lives Frank touched.”