Gilroy woman shares story of her father’s COVID-19 death

GILROY, Calif. (KION) A Gilroy woman is speaking out to share the story of her father, Gary Young, who died of COVID-19 complications just weeks after experiencing a bad cough.

The number of COVID-19 cases and subsequent deaths toll rises everyday, but now we’re getting to see one of the faces who lost his life from the deadly virus.

“He’s one of the kindest gentlehearted, loving souls you would ever meet,” Gary's daughter Stacey Silva said.

On March 3, Gary Young, who was diabetic, went to the emergency room for a migraine and bad cough, but he was sent home the same day.

A week later, he went to his personal doctor who sent him right to the hospital. He was put on a ventilator, and on Tuesday he died at the age of 66.

His daughter Stacey said she wishes his symptoms would have been taken more seriously the first time he went to the ER.

“Nobody knows, but it is possible he would still be here if he was admitted on [that] Tuesday,” Silva said.

Now, Stacey is sharing her story as a reminder just how destructive this virus is, and how seriously the current shelter-in-place should be taken.

“Everyone please do what we’re being told to do. I know it sucks to just be stuck at home, but it will be worth it to not feel the pain that I feel,” Gary's daughter said.

Stacey said she doesn’t know how her gregarious father contracted the disease, but as it continues to spread around the world, she wants everyone to know how real it is.

“I didn’t want my dad to be another number. Another statistic. I wanted every one to see his face and the joy in his face,” Silva said.

Stacey and her family have finished their self quarantine and none of them have symptoms.

As of March 18, six people in Santa Clara County have died from COVID-19.

You can donate to the families GoFundMe here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-for-my-dad-gary/campaign/gallery/0?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link-tip&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet