DENVER (KDVR) — The community honored a paramedic from the Denver metro area who died Thursday after treating COVID-19 patients in New York City.
Paul Cary, 66, volunteered to go to New York with Ambulnz’s coronavirus response team.
He tested positive for the virus in late April.
For more than three decades, Cary worked as a firefighter and paramedic for Aurora Fire Rescue. During that time, he impacted countless lives.
Sunday night, a casket with Cary’s body returned to Denver on a plane from New York.
A procession of fire and EMS vehicles traveled from Denver International Airport to Olinger Hampden Funeral Home. A ceremony was held outside the funeral home.
Longtime friend and former coworker Jaymie Robles was part of the processional Sunday night. He says Cary left the world a better place.
“Paul was one of those guys that always asked how your day was because he knew bad days here hurt and you take the job home with you,” said Robles.
Robles says Cary even cared for his grandmother while she was battling cancer.
“I was fortunate enough to not only work with him but I saw him taking care of someone I loved,” said Robles.
Imani Thomas, a Denver Health paramedic says Cary was known as a mentor for many.
“He was always trying to send us uplifting things and making sure that we were hanging in there. He was the dad that took care of everyone here and made sure we were OK. Now it’s our turn to take care of him and his family,” said Thomas.
