Joe Marie Corral, who friends affectionately called “Jing”, lost his battle with COVID-19 last week.
Ephraim Tiangha, a colleague and friend of the 61-year-old long-term care worker, said Corral was incredibly devoted to the residents he cared for.
“He never stopped. He said, ‘if I would stop, who will take care of the residents?’ He pushed himself to his limits,” Tiangha said. “We have an oath that we have to take care of a person in need, so for Joe, that’s why he’s a hero.”
“He has a big heart, it’s hard to accept a person that you love so much is gone.”
“It’s hard for me too because I don’t have my friend to talk to every day and at work,” Tiangha said.
Corral rented the basement at Tiangha’s family home in Calgary.
“It’s very lonely because in our table he has his own chair, just for him,” Tiangha said.
The two friends worked together at Bethany Riverview care home in the dementia ward. Tiangha said Corral tested positive on Dec. 20 and complained about difficulty breathing almost a week later.
“I asked him if he was okay and he said he could manage it, but I didn’t sleep. I have a feeling that something happened.”
In the afternoon of Dec. 28, Tiangha discovered Corral lying in his bed, unconscious.
“It was too late. Every time I go to bed and close my eyes I see him. It’s hard.”
Corral leaves behind a son and daughter who hope to plan a virtual celebration of life in the coming days. A Gofundme has been set up to support his family.
Friends say Corral was a healthy man who didn’t have any serious health issues.
“Please don’t take this virus for granted. It will hit you, it’s no joke.”
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