Longtime friends of drowning victim David Mason remembered him yesterday for his generosity, joy for life and faithful friendship.

"Pretty unbelievable," was how Thomas Leclair described the tragic word of Mason's drowning while swimming Thursday night in Canobie Lake.

"It's terrible," John Pallaria said.

Mason, 41, was a graduate of Salem High and the University of New Hampshire. He had married his wife, Jennean, just five years ago this year.

"He was fantastic, a great guy and great friend," Leclair said.

Leclair recalled growing up with Mason and said he spent that wedding day with the couple, serving as an usher for the ceremony.

"Dave had all the attributes of a great person," Leclair said. "You could trust him with anything. He was an all around great guy."

Pallaria also was an usher at his good friend's wedding. His wife Michelle grew up with Mason and all were part of a close-knit group of friends around Cobbetts Pond, where Mason's family had a summer place.

"He was one of the most dedicated, I'll-be-there-for-you friends there was," Pallaria said. "He was always around to help and have fun."

A favorite memory for Leclair was their ski trip to Switzerland together a dozen years ago.

Besides skiing, Mason enjoyed following sports.

"He loved watching sports," Leclair said.

Pallaria recalled memorable Super Bowl parties Mason hosted.

The Masons were working together at Chili's in Salem at the time of the wedding. She since has moved on to working as a recruiter, Leclair said, while Mason was in the process of changing careers.

"He was just enjoying life," Leclair said.

Mason is the son of Salem attorney William Mason.

Police said an autopsy was scheduled yesterday, which was expected to confirm drowning as the cause of death.

Rescuers found Mason around 7 p.m. Thursday in Canobie Lake about 25 feet from the dock of his Prescott Road house.