World War Two veteran, 93, dies from coronavirus alone in hospital as quarantined family can’t say goodbye after two of his daughters and his son-in-law test positive
- George Possas, 93, passed away earlier this week at a Long Island hospital
- Possas was being treated at Huntington Hospital for coronavirus infection
- He died alone because two of his daughters and a son-in-law also tested positive
- Family was forced into quarantine and was unable to bid farewell to Possas
- Possas enlisted in the military at 17 and fought in Pacific during World War Two
- He is survived by four children and nine grandchildren
- New York State has seen a surge in coronavirus cases on Friday
- Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?
A 93-year-old World War Two veteran who contracted the coronavirus died alone at a Long Island hospital bed as relatives also infected with the pathogen were unable to say goodbye.
George Possas died earlier this week while being treated for coronavirus infection at Huntington Hospital in Suffolk County, New York.
One of his daughters was also infected by the virus and is currently in the ICU of the same hospital. Two other family members have also been confirmed cases.
George Possas, 93, died earlier this week at a Long Island hospital after being infected with coronavirus
Possas enlisted in World War Two and fought in the Pacific before returning home to New York and becoming an electrician
Possas was on the ship that was preparing for an invasion of Hiroshima just before the Americans dropped the atomic bomb, ending the war
That means that Possas’ family is in quarantine and wasn’t able to see him before he passed away, according to WNBC-TV.
‘Unfortunately, he died alone,’ his daughter, Denise Bocchicchio, who along with her husband has also tested positive, told the TV station.
The family members were not only unable to say goodbye to Possas, but they are now unable to see each other due to the three confirmed cases of coronavirus.
‘Even while planning a funeral, we’re not even allowed to leave,’ Bocchicchio said.
Possas is the son of Greek immigrants who grew up in Queens, New York, during the Great Depression.
At age 17, he enlisted in the military and fought in several islands in the South Pacific.
Possas was deployed on a ship that was headed for the Japanese mainland for an invasion before the Americans dropped two atomic bombs, bringing the war to an end.
Possas is survived by four children and nine grandchildren – none of whom were able to see him when he passed since they are in quarantine
Two of his daughters and his son-in-law tested positive for coronavirus, requiring the family to be in quarantine
He then returned home in 1946 and became an electrician. He owned his own electrical contracting business, which has remained in his family for three generations, according to Huntingon Now.
Possas married Evelyn Lambrinon in 1953. They remained married for 64 years until her death in 2016.
‘The biggest thing about him is that he was a family man,’ Bocchicchio said of her late father.
Possas is survived by four children and nine grandchildren.
As of Friday morning, New York State has reported more than 7,100 cases of coronavirus – which is almost half of all confirmed cases in the United States.
In Nassau County, there have been a total of 372 confirmed cases along with four deaths. Seven people are listed in critical condition as of Friday.
In Suffolk County, authorities report 239 confirmed cases of coronavirus, with three deaths.
New York City has been hardest-hit, with more than 4,440 cases as of Friday afternoon.
The five boroughs account for 28 percent of all cases in America.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo on Friday ordered all workers in nonessential businesses to stay home and banning gatherings statewide.
Cuomo said he’ll sign an executive order on Friday.
He also says nonessential gatherings of individuals of any size or for any reason are canceled or postponed.