Waterbury Man, 26, Dies Due To Coronavirus

WATERBURY, CT — A football player and gifted musician died due to complications related to the coronavirus. Torrin Howard, 26, of Waterbury, graduated with honors in 2012 from Wilby High School, where he was among "the state's elite football players," according to an obituary posted on Chapel Memorial Funeral Home's site.

His father, Ronnie Howard, brought him to the hospital April 4 when he reported having a fever that just wouldn't break, the Hartford Courant reported. His condition worsened, as he had shortness of breath and required oxygen.

Torrin Howard didn't have any known preexisting conditions. Doctors attempted treatment with hydroxychloroquine, but he died April 7. His father described as son's death as "heart-wrenching," according to the Courant.

A friend since childhood described Torrin Howard as appearing "big and mean" especially on the football field, but he really was a "gentle giant who was loved by many," according to the Republican-American.

Howard was also heavily involved in volunteering. He worked at the Boys and Girls Village of Milford as a mental health counselor.

"He was a compassionate person and volunteerism came easy to him," his obituary reads. "He volunteered in several capacities during his tenure (in college)."

Howard was described as an outstanding student in high school who continued his studies focusing on social work at Southern Connecticut State University.

"Torrin was a true friend and confidante; very compassionate, supportive, hardworking and giving," his obituary reads. "He met and fell in love with Tiesha Teasley ten years ago. From teenagers into adulthood, they went through everything together. They supported one another; and always had each other's back. Besides loving one another, they shared a love for God, music, food, and family gatherings."

Howard played bass guitar for his home church, Refuge Church of Christ, and went on to play for various other churches, as well as with artists such as Donnie McClurkin, Marvin Sapp and Maranda Curtis, Dorinda Clark Cole, BeBe Winans, and Kierra "KiKi" Sheard.

He started in music early in childhood, touring the East Coast and Midwest with Spiritual Souls, a Waterbury gospel music group composed of his parents, aunts, uncles and cousins, the Republican-American reported.

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