The coronavirus pandemic claimed another life after a Colorado pandemic who flew to New York to help in the frontlines ended up passing away from the disease.
Paul Cary, 66, from Aurora, had volunteered to travel to New York in late March and started working there on April 1 in Ambulnz, a private ambulance company, reported NBC affiliate 9News. Working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, his job was to transport COVID-19 patients around the city and was stationed at the Bronx Zoo.
“We were devastated to learn that our father and grandfather, Paul Cary, became the latest victim to die of COVID-19,” said the paramedic’s family said in a statement to NBC News on May 1. “Our family grieves his loss, and knows that all his friends and family will miss him greatly.”
“Accepting Paul’s commitment to serving others in need, we respected his choice to volunteer to be part of Ambulnz’s response team to the COVID-19 crisis in New York City,” continued the family’s statement. “He risked his own health and safety to protect others and left this world a better place. We are at peace knowing that Paul did what he loved and what he believed in, right up until the very end.”
Cary, who is also a firefighter, first began displaying coronavirus symptoms around April 20 and was admitted to the Montefiore Medical Center on April 21. Eventually, he had to be put on a ventilator, reported NBC News.
It wasn’t mentioned if Cary had any pre-existing medical conditions before he got infected. Those who are aged 65 and older, as well as those with pre-existing medical conditions like diabetes and heart disease, are at greater risk of suffering severe illness from the coronavirus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“Paul’s career is best defined by his kindness and service to others during his time as a Paramedic at Ambulnz, and before that as a Firefighter/Paramedic of more than 30 years with the Aurora, Colorado Fire Department,” Ambulnz said in a statement on April 30.
“Paul made the ultimate sacrifice for his country and will forever be remembered as extremely dependable and completely devoted to his work.”
NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio said, “Paul gave his life for us, and we’re going to honor him in a particular way.”
He also described Cary’s decision to come to New York as “heroic.”
“So to the Cary family, we honor Paul’s sacrifice, we honor what Paul did,” he said. “We honor all of you. We grieve with you.”
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