Memorial Thread - COVID-19 Coronavirus

[PommyMommy]

Patricia Dowd

A seemingly healthy woman's sudden death is now the first known US coronavirus-related fatality - CNN

A 57-year-old Northern California woman whose February 6 death has become the first known coronavirus-related fatality in the US had been in relatively good health, her brother told CNN.

She was Patricia Dowd, a Bay Area woman who worked as a manager for a semiconductor company and who "exercised routinely, watched her diet and took no medication," the Los Angeles Times first reported Wednesday.
Rick Cabello, Dowd's older brother, told CNN she didn't smoke and was in good health.

[...]

 

[cass523]

NEW YORK CITY (WABC) -- The infant daughter of FDNY firefighter Jerel La Santa has died of coronavirus, according to the FDNY Hispanic Society.
Jay-Natalie La Santa was 5 months old.

"My baby girl was so beautiful," her mother, Lindsey La Santa, said.

The FDNY said La Santa was appointed to the title of firefighter less than a year ago, in November of 2019.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the La Santa family during this tragic time," the department said in a statement.

Coronavirus News: Infant daughter of FDNY firefighter dies of COVID-19, department says

 

[cass523]

The eldest of former Democratic presidential contender and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren's three older brothers, Don Reed, died

"My oldest brother, Don Reed, died from coronavirus on Tuesday evening. He joined the Air Force at 19 and spent his career in the military, including five and a half years off and on in combat in Vietnam. He was charming and funny, a natural leader."

Donald Reed and his two Brothers
Sen. Elizabeth Warren's oldest brother died from COVID-19 complications

 

[cass523]

It is with great sadness to announce the untimely passing of our beloved Khristian Aviles due to his battle with Leukemia and the Covid 19 virus.

He had so much ahead of him with wanting to be a community advocate, progressive scholar and a great example to his family and friends. To those of us who loved him most, it’s now hard to imagine how he packed so much living into 20 short years. Khristian will leave behind a permanent mark on all of our lives.

Khristian Aviles was a senior at William Paterson University of New Jersey, where he was a mainstay on the Dean’s List. He had a deep interest in public service and was also a talented artist. His was a very bright light that has been extinguished far, far too early. May God bless him and his family.

Governor Phil Murphy

 

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James “Jimmie” LaBarbiera was the brother of one of my dear friends, and the mayor of Paramus, Richard LaBarbiera. He embodies the values of our New Jersey family – humor, decency, and love of family. He leaves behind his wife and his two sons. Our prayers are with his family.

Governor Phil Murphy

 

[cass523]

Gerry Genuino, a Fair Lawn School District bus driver, died yesterday after battling COVID-19.

“I am just hearbroken,” said Lori Rocconova, Fair Lawn Schools Transportation Director and Gerry’s boss. “Our department will never be the same. He was a kind-hearted man, so humble and never asked for anything in return.”

Genuino, 58, has been struggling with coronavirus "for the past few weeks," according to Nick Norcia, superintendent of Fair Lawn Schools.

Fair Lawn Beloved Bus Driver, Gerry Genuino, Dies from COVID-19

 

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Rick Vanderclock was a member of the 85th class of the New Jersey State Police Academy. He was a Trooper for 29 years. He leaves behind his wife of 46 years, two sons, and four grandchildren. May his memory bring them comfort at this difficult time, and happiness in the times to come.

Governor Phil Murphy

 

[cass523]

David Clark, 47, died Saturday of complications related to COVID-19,, the Bay Head Fire Company announced on Facebook. He had been hospitalized for two weeks.

Dave passed this morning following a long and tough battle with the COVID-19 virus. Dave had served as a dedicated member of the Bay Head Fire Company for many years and had held numerous positions within the department. Dave will be sorely missed," the Facebook post said. To Dave, we thank you for your service, and to the entire Clark family, we are with you.

Coronavirus in NJ: COVID-19 kills Bay Head firefighter

 

[cass523]

KEVIN KURDYLA passed away on Saturday, April 11, 2020, at home. He was 60 years old. Kurdyla, a Newark native and Rutgers Hall of Famer who went to work for the newspaper after injuries derailed his NFL career, died at his East Brunswick home after suffering from symptoms common to the novel coronavirus.

Kurdyla did not receive a test to confirm the virus but his death certificate states he died of cardiac arrest due to COVID-19, according to Pickel. Kurdyla is survived by his wife of 35 years, Lynn, and daughters Jennifer and Samantha.

‘A quiet giant’: Kevin Kurdyla, Rutgers Hall of Famer and 36-year Star-Ledger employee, dies of coronavirus

 

[cass523]

MONMOUTH COUNTY, N.J. — Monmouth County’s emergency response community is mourning one its own, following the death of Middletown EMT and firefighter Robert Weber from complications stemming from the coronavirus.

"Weber was a 15-year veteran firefighter with the Port Monmouth Fire Company.

Coronavirus in NJ: Monmouth County first responder dies due to complications from virus

 

[cass523]

John Careccia

The chief of the Woodbridge Township Ambulance & Rescue Squad in New Jersey passed away last week from complications of COVID-19.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Careccia family as well as with the officers, members and employees of the Woodbridge Township Ambulance & Rescue Squad,” the Woodbridge Township Professional Firefighters Association wrote on Facebook. “We are deeply saddened by the news of the passing of your Chief, John Careccia.

Chief of NJ Ambulance Squad Dies from COVID-19 Complications - JEMS

 

[cass523]

Garfield, NJ-Longtime Board of Education member Kenneth Conte died of complications related to COVID-19 on Thursday afternoon. He was 75.

Conte, a doctor with a family medicine practice in his native city, was first elected to the board in 1986 and previously served as board president. “He was a true community person who spent his lifetime serving people, whether it was at his medical practice or in government and education,” Duch said. “He was a product of the city and he stayed here to serve the city.”

Garfield school board member Kenneth Conte dies of COVID-19 complications

 

[cass523]

Bennie Adkins, a Vietnam veteran who was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Barack Obama in 2014, died on April 17, The Washington Post reported. He was 86 years old.
Adkins had three deployments to Vietnam as a Green Beret, and his Medal of Honor citation said he showed “extraordinary heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty," the Post reported.

Adkins endured a "38-hour battle and 48-hours of escape and evasion,” the citation said, according to the Post. "Adkins fought with mortars, machine guns, recoilless rifles, small arms and hand grenades, killing an estimated 135 to 175 of the enemy and sustaining 18 different wounds."

Faces of the coronavirus pandemic: Remembering those who died

 

[cass523]

Mohammed Chowdhury, an NYPD traffic section commander died on April 19, tweeted NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea.

"Mohammed, who would have marked 30 years of NYPD service next week, was revered by members of our Transportation Bureau," Shea tweeted. "The prayers of a thankful city go out to his family & coworkers."

Faces of the coronavirus pandemic: Remembering those who died

 

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Jacqueline Cruz-Towns, mother of Minnesota Timberwolves player Karl-Anthony Towns, died on April 13 at the age of 58, reported USA Today.

"The matriarch of the Towns family, she was an incredible source of strength; a fiery, caring and extremely loving person who touched everyone she met," a family spokesperson said in a statement obtained by USA Today.

Cruz-Towns also worked at New Jersey's Rutgers University for 20 years, New Jersey's governor said.

The Timberwolves said in a statement, "In the four-plus years we were fortunate to know Jackie, she became part of our family. Her passion for life and for her family was palpable."

Faces of the coronavirus pandemic: Remembering those who died

 

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Margit Feldman, 90, a survivor of the Auschwitz and Bergen Belsen concentration camps, died from coronavirus on April 14, said New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy.

75 years ago, yesterday, the Bergen Belsen concentration camp was liberated by British forces. One of those freed was Margit Feldman. Her legacy is best captured in her work to ensure that the world never forgets the horrors of the Holocaust. Our hearts are with her family.

Faces of the coronavirus pandemic: Remembering those who died

 

[cass523]

For 36 years, Herbert ‘Bert’ Heaney was a forensic scientist at the @NJSP’s North Regional Laboratory. He was a Vietnam Veteran and continued his service to our nation in the U.S. Army Reserves. He was dedicated to his community in Maywood. Our thoughts are with his loved ones.

Faces of the coronavirus pandemic: Remembering those who died

 

[cass523]

The Rev. Rufus McClendon Jr., 82, the former head chaplain of East Jersey State Prison, has died after contracting the coronavirus, fellow clergy and his church members said.
McClendon, Jr., nicknamed “Bumpsy,” served as the chief chaplain at the prison from 1994 to 2008, a note of condolence said.

“Every person who was in that prison was made in the image of God and he knew that and treated people like he knew that,” said the Rev. Seth Kaper-Dale who said McClendon helped mentor him when he started in the clergy and also spent time in the prison ministry. “There was complete respect from him to the inmates, the inmates to him.”

N.J. pastor, former prison chaplain with ‘big personality’ dies from coronavirus

 

[FrostOwl]

Belgian Auschwitz survivor Henri Kichka dies of Covid-19 at the age of 94. Auschwitz survivor Henri Kichka dies of Covid-19

 

[anneg]

I have tried to find information on people in North Carolina (where I live) who have died due to the coronavirus. There doesn't seem to be a "faces of the coronavirus" type of website here. The News & Observer (Raleigh) has an unusually large number of death notices and obituaries in the paper today, but it's hard to tell whether any are COVID related. I read some of the obituaries and a few mentioned that the person died from cancer, heart failure, etc., but many don't mention a cause of death.

I know three people my age or a little older (mid 70s) who have died this month, but their deaths were not related to the virus, AFAIK.