Harry Amyotte, 55, of Darien, passed away Saturday from a possible heart attack while hiking in Colorado with his wife, daughter, son and son’s girlfriend, according to news reports and his daughter’s post on Facebook.
Family members gave him CPR as his son rushed down Vallecito Creek Trail in the San Juan Mountains to get help, the Pine River Times reported on Monday.
Amyotte went into cardiac arrest, the report said, citing Chief Bruce Evans with the Upper Pine Fire Protection District. The district was alerted about the incident at 4:27 p.m.
“A beautiful light went out on this earth on Saturday. My dear, sweet, caring, intellectual, funny, musical, and artistic father passed away unexpectedly while hiking with my family and me in the San Juan mountains of Colorado,” Marin Marka wrote Monday morning on Facebook.
“Marin’s post says it all. I have no words, only oceans of tears,” Kathryn Amyotte wrote in response.
Marka described what happened on the hike:
- “Together our family made a heroic effort to save his life as my brother ran 9 miles to send for a helicopter and we provided CPR for over 2 hours in the freezing rain. We are experiencing so much grief and trauma as we move into this next chapter in our lives. Hold your loved ones tightly tonight and every night, because you truly never know what moment will be your last.”
Harry Amyotte ran his own portrait and wedding photography business, including video. Earlier this year, he created a promotional video for the Theatre 308 production of “Footloose.” He was active in Noroton Presbyterian Church.
His wife, Kathryn, is a singer, voice teacher and vocal coach, and choral contractor for The New York Film Chorale.