Beloved, 'Devoted' North Branford Veterinarian Dies Of COVID-19

NORTH BRANFORD, CT —Well-known and beloved North Branford veterinarian Efren Osorio has died as a result of COVID-19, his colleagues from Veterinary Associates of North Branford announced on Facebook.

He was 62.

"It is with deep sadness that we tell you of the passing of Dr Efren Osorio from COVID -19," the social media post reads. "We are filled with grief and shock beyond words at this news."

Saying Osorio was "unlike any other person and veterinarian that our staff has ever known," his colleagues wrote that his "compassion and patience were unmatched."

Osorio, they said, "...was truly the lifeblood of this practice and it will never be the same without him."

"He was the best mentor, doctor, friend and veterinarian any of us have ever known," the Facebook post reads.

The vet office will be closed Friday.

"We ask at this time that you respect the grief that each staff member here is experiencing," they wrote, adding his colleagues need "time to grieve and process this tragedy."

In its biography about Osorio on its website, the vet clinic noted he graduated from veterinary school in Mexico in 1982, "devoted all his professional life to the veterinary field of small animal medicine," and was "devoted to providing good medical care and feels each client and patient are very special."

Osorio was married for 37 years to his wife Katrina, according to his bio. His colleagues wrote that she was his "best friend, business partner and fervent supporter throughout his amazing career."

And they said she's asked that in lieu of flowers, cards or gifts of condolence, those who wish to should "make a donation to the Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter in his honor."

"It is what he would have wanted," his fellow veterinary office staff wrote. ".We know you all loved him so much and we know this is a time of grieving for you as well. We will continue to care for all of you because this is what Dr. Osorio would have wanted."

The folks at Cosgrove also posted to Facebook their pain at the loss of the respected vet.

"Dr. Osorio has long been a staple of our community and such an amazing person and veterinarian," the post reads. "We are so saddened that the world lost such an animal advocate . We are grateful for the years of service Dr. Osorio provided to the many animals he helped and the people that he impacted. He will be greatly missed."