JUDY WOODRUFF: As we have
been discussing tonight, the
coronavirus continues to exact
a devastating toll on
families and communities
across the country.
Again, we take a moment
tonight to remember
some of the lives lost.
Oscar Rosa was the
go-to for friends and
family seeking advice,
homework help, or a favor.
Everything he did was to
support his family, especially
his niece Amarey. Bright and
dedicated, Oscar excelled in
debate, as a captain and a
coach in his Los Angeles high
school, and later in college.
He would often mentor students
on opposing teams. His family
said he wanted everyone
to learn and love debate like
he did. Oscar was just 25.
For nearly three decades, John
Walter offered laughs and life
lessons to his Parish youth
group in queens, New York.
As one former student
put it, "He took a bunch
of misfits and turned
us into family."
A long-suffering Mets fan and
a lifelong New Yorker, his son
Brian said John was usually
the funniest person in the room.
He was fiercely devoted to his
wife of 57 years, Peg, their
four children and two grandsons.
The family proudly marched
in the city's annual Autism
Speaks walk, in support
of his grandson James.
John was 80 years old.
Vanee Sykes believed in
the potential of every
formerly incarcerated
woman, and co-founded
a halfway house in the Bronx
to help them reenter society
and find jobs. It was an idea
sprouted during her own time
behind bars. Vanee spent nearly
four years in federal prison
after pleading guilty to a
scheme to steal food stamps.
During that time, Vanee's
husband of 20 years,
James, passed away,
but she spoke to their
three children, Jeffrey,
James Jr. and Alexis, every
day. Vanee was 53 years old.
Raul Guale Jr. was at his
happiest spending time with his
three girls. When Raul was in
high school, he became a
single father. That experience
propelled him to study nursing
and go on to work at an assisted
living facility on Long Island.
He met his wife, Marissa,
and their family grew.
They did everything together,
family vacations to Disney, to
food shopping and laundry. Raul
was 34 years old.
Victor Arzola's convenience
store in Juarez, Mexico, was
a neighborhood safe haven,
with a self-designed loan system
to help customers who couldn't
pay. Victor's wife of 68 years,
Belem, was the love of his
life. After she became ill
in 2007, he dedicated himself
to her care, settling
down in Colorado.
Rarely seen without his big
cowboy hat and a smile, Victor
became a U.S. citizen at 87
years old. His family
said it was his happiest
accomplishment. Victor was 93.