Update: December 13, 2021. A GoFundMe page has been created to benefit Officer Pasquarello’s young son. Learn more.
By Joe Dwinell
Boston Herald
MIDDLETON, Mass. — An Essex jail officer has died from complications from the coronavirus in another front-line fatality as the virus digs in for the winter.
Correctional Officer Anthony Pasquarello, 37, of Saugus, died Thursday, Essex Sheriff Kevin Coppinger announced.
The officer was a 15-year veteran of the department who was in the transportation division. No further details about his illness were immediately available.
“Officer Pasquarello was a courageous, dedicated member of the Essex County Sheriff’s Department who served with great distinction, and we are simply devastated by his passing,” Coppinger said. “We pray for his family during this very difficult time, as well as for his brothers and sisters at the Essex County Sheriff’s Department who are in great mourning over his passing.”
Pasquarello is survived by his parents, a 6-year-old son, his fiancee, two sisters and several aunts and uncles.
This morning Coppinger and the Essex County Sheriff’s Department will be joined by Massachusetts State Police and local police departments at Lahey Clinic in Burlington where they will escort the body of Officer Pasquarello to the McDonald Funeral Home in Wakefield.
Officer Pasquarello’s family will join members of the Essex County Sheriff’s Department for a candlelight vigil in his honor today at 4 p.m. at the Essex County Jail and House of Correction, 20 Manning Avenue, Middleton.
Funeral arrangements will be announced when complete.
News of his death comes as state health officials reported 5,472 new daily coronavirus cases Thursday and 27 new COVID deaths, bringing the state’s total recorded death toll to 19,606. The daily average of deaths is now 17, compared to 77 daily deaths during the peak of last winter’s surge.
(c)2021 the Boston Herald