Paul Frishkorn, a well-loved and well-respected Philadelphia-based flight attendant for American Airlines, has died due to complications arising from COVID-19.
Up until his final days, Frishkorn served as both a flight attendant and union representative. In that latter role, he spent recent days in the crew lounge in Philadelphia (PHL), answering questions and calming nervous crewmembers about COVID-19. Then he contracted the virus himself
Sara Nelson, the powerful President of the Association of Flight Attendants, told CNN:
“He was amazing, and totally selfless, and just a … good soldier who never asked for any recognition, other than to make sure people were taken care of.”
That’s a great testimony to his character.
American Airlines added:
“Earlier this week, we lost a respected, longtime member of the American Airlines family, who tested positive for COVID-19.
“Our hearts go out to Paul’s family and friends, many of whom work for American. We are working directly with Paul’s family to ensure they are cared for during this extraordinarily difficult time.”
The sad thing is that with state and local governments working aggressively to contain the spread of this virus, a public funeral or memorial for Frishkorn will like have to wait…potentially many months.
CONCLUSION
As I wrote a couple days ago when an Untied Airlines ramp worker passed away due to COVID-19, we live in a time when deaths are mounting so rapidly many human stories are buried. By all accounts, Frishkorn was a tireless advocate for his colleagues and a well-respected flight attendant at American Airlines. My thoughts and prayers are with his family today.
That is the scary thing about the virus, you do not know who will live or die when you get it.
Condolences to the family of his.
Terrible news. It would be helpful to see his age and if he had any pre-existing medical condition. Regarding your comment that “you do not know who will live or die when you get it” nobody knows BUT the numbers so far show a very good indication. If you look at Italy, they have zero fatalities under 30 years old and 96% of the deaths are on people over 60.
Misleading title Matt, you are usually better than that. The story says he died and had tested positive for the virus. It doesn’t say the cause of the death was the virus.
Matt specifically said that he had died as a result of complications resulting from Coronavirus
Albert, AA blamed his death on COVID-19.
I knew Paul for many years. Yes, he was everything Sara Nelson said he was however, I believe he had a bout with cancer, thus weakening his immune system.