The Gloucester community is mourning the heartbreaking loss of 18-year-old Christopher Joseph Dailey, who tragically died on June 30, 2025, from injuries sustained in a car accident. A recent graduate of Gloucester High School, Chris was known not only for his academic excellence but also for his leadership on and off the hockey rink.
Born in Beverly and raised in Gloucester, Chris was a vibrant young man whose warmth and enthusiasm touched everyone he met. A standout student and athlete, he was set to begin his studies in business at Coastal Carolina University this fall. His promising future was cut short in an instant, leaving loved ones and the wider Cape Ann community devastated.
Chris began skating at just two years old and went on to play all four years on Gloucester High’s varsity hockey team. He served as co-captain his senior year and was honored as Defenseman of the Year—accolades that reflected not just his talent, but the heart and dedication he brought to every game.
Outside of hockey, Chris was a member of the National Honor Society and widely admired for his kind spirit, charisma, and the infectious smile that became his signature. Friends, classmates, and teachers alike describe him as someone who lifted others, always ready with a joke, a helping hand, or a word of encouragement.
“He could walk into a room and make everyone feel like they belonged,” said a close family friend. “He brought joy wherever he went.”
Chris loved life beyond the classroom and ice rink. Whether fishing, skiing, dirt biking, or enjoying beach days on Cape Ann, he embraced adventure and treasured time spent with family and friends. He shared a deep bond with his parents, Rich and Nicole Dailey, and his sister Rachel, with whom he created a lifetime of cherished memories.
As news of his passing spread, an outpouring of grief and support followed from all corners of the community. Tributes continue to flood social media and local gatherings, celebrating the impact of a young man whose life, though brief, was filled with love and purpose.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 10, at Saint Ann’s Church, 74 Pleasant Street, Gloucester. Interment will follow at Beech Grove Cemetery in Rockport.
To honor Chris’s memory, the family has established the Chris Dailey Memorial Scholarship Fund. Contributions may be sent to Cape Ann Savings Bank, 109 Main Street, Gloucester, MA 01930, to support students who embody Chris’s spirit of excellence, compassion, and dedication to community.
Though his story ended too soon, Chris Dailey’s legacy lives on in the many lives he touched. His light remains in every memory, every laugh, and every act of kindness inspired by his example.
Rest in peace, Chris. You will never be forgotten.