1:18
- ABC News
- May 1, 2021
Officer dies from COVID-19 months after retirement
Benedetto "Benny" Christiano died in March 2021. He retired in Dec. 2020.
1:18
George Rowland, a retired math teacher in Union County, North Carolina, died on Jan. 17, 2021, ABC affiliate WSOC reported.
Rowland was known for his fashion and passion for teaching, WSOC said, and he served as \"an amazing example to the kids in school,” said school nurse Erin Moore.
Assistant Superintendent Tahira Stalberte told ABC News, \"Union County Public Schools extends its sincerest condolences to the Rowland family and East Union Middle staff. He will truly be missed by his school family.\"
Rowland had also taught at the Asheville School for Boys, where he was the first Black teacher and coach, according to his obituary.
\"He has touched the lives of many and will truly be missed,\" his obituary said.
— East Union Middle (@EastUnionMS_NC) January 20, 2021
“He was an amazing example to the students and staff.”
— Genevieve Curtis (@GenevieveWSOC9) January 19, 2021
Beloved Union County tutor George Rowland died of COVID-19 last night. He worked at East Union Middle School where he taught math. His school family tells me their hearts are aching. We have more on his impact at 11 @wsoctv pic.twitter.com/JgoJM7k0bz
Patty Sakal, a sign language interpreter for COVID-19 briefings in Hawaii, died on Jan. 15, 2021 in California, ABC San Diego affiliate KGTV reported.
The mother of three and grandmother of two was 62 years old, KGTV said.
Both of Sakal's parents were deaf and she became a powerful advocate for those who are hearing-impaired, one of her daughters, Andrea McFadden, told KGTV.
Her mom worked as a COVID-19 briefing interpreter because \"she wanted to make sure they knew what was going on and would stay healthy,\" McFadden said.
\"She was caring, creative, selfless, and we miss her,\" she said.
Patty Sakal, who worked as an American Sign Language interpreter for nearly four decades in a variety of settings, had become a mainstay in coronavirus press briefings in Hawaii. She died of complications related to Covid-19. https://t.co/Ou2NDWGkoh
— The New York Times (@nytimes) January 21, 2021
Click here and here to read more victims' stories.
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