NEW YORK — A 66-year-old paramedic from Colorado who came to New York City to fight coronavirus succumbed to COVID-19 on Thursday.
Paul Cary, a member of Ambulnz’ State of New York COVID Response team, spent decades working as a firefighter and paramedic, Ambulnz CEO Stan Vashovsky said.
“Paul’s career is best defined by his kindness and service to others during his time as a paramedic at Ambulnz,” Vashovsky said. “Paul made the ultimate sacrifice for his country and will forever be remembered as extremely dependable and completely devoted to his work.”
He developed symptoms on either April 19 or 20 and was admitted to Montefiore Medical Center, KMGH reported.
Cary is survived by two sons and four grandchildren.
“We were devastated to learn that our father and grandfather, Paul Cary, became the latest victim to die of COVID-19. Our family grieves his loss, and knows that all his friends and family will miss him greatly,” Cary’s family said, according to KMGH. “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.”
The FDNY was set to do a 60-vehicle procession in Cary’s honor on Thursday night.
The New York City Office of Emergency Management issued a statement late Thursday.
“Paul left his family behind to join us on the front lines of this fight,” the statement read, “and we will forever remember his heroic commitment as a first responder. NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Deanne Criswell served alongside Paul as a firefighter with the Aurora, Colorado Fire Department, and remembers him as a selfless, devoted person, who put the needs of others before himself. That selfless nature was again displayed in his decision to deploy to New York City to help us in our time of need. We will continue to fight this battle until we have overcome, for Paul, and for all the lives we have lost along the way. Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time, and our city will forever be grateful for the ultimate sacrifice he has made for his country and his fellow man.”
