There are dozens of pictures of Peter Petrassi doing one of the things he loved best, fishing. His friends say he was an adventurous guy who loved people and new experiences.

“He was a beautiful human being and his light will be missed,” said Luz Gonzalez, a friend to Petrassi.

Petrassi passed away Thursday after testing positive for coronavirus. The veteran subway conductor is one of two MTA workers who died Thursday from the virus. The other, is Oliver Cyrus, a 21-year bus operator who worked out of the Manhattanville Depot. In a statement a union official said Cyrus was "a quiet and humble man" who was well-liked by his co-workers and that the mood at the depot was somber. Petrassi's friends and family took to Facebook to express their sorrow with messages of love and remembrance.

“He loved people and he shared his wealth.  He shared what he had with others and I wanted to share a little bit of what he was because he was someone who always had a smile on his face,” said Gonzalez.

The MTA workers are among a growing number of city workers to succumb to the virus.  The city's transportation Department lost its first worker to the virus. Irene Weiss, a 21-year veteran in parking meter collections.  

The NYPD said Custodial Assistant, Dennis Dickson, was the first member of the department to die after contracting COVID-19. Police Commissioner Dermot Shea said he was a dedicated worker.

"When Hurricane Sandy struck, he worked 17 days straight. Since the coronavirus has struck New York City, he has been keeping the NYPD safe so our officers can keep you safe,” said Shea.

Dickson spent 14 years with the NYPD. On his Facebook page there were messages of love including one from his wife.  Like so many of those mourning those who have died, she can't believe he was taken so soon.