Broward pianist latest to die of coronavirus after attending Winter Party Festival
He was a classical pianist, a well-connected philanthropist and a real estate agent.
And last month, 67-year-old Daniel Thomas Carr attended one of the biggest gay dance parties in the country — then tested positive for coronavirus and fought his COVID-19 diagnosis for nearly a month before he died Wednesday, according to his family.
Carr, who went by Thom, is the third man to die from coronavirus after attending Winter Party Festival, a week-long series of dance parties held in Miami Beach and across the Miami metropolitan area. At least 38 attendees were sickened or tested positive for coronavirus after the festival, which was held March 4-10, according to organizers.
“Most people came away feeling fine,” said Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis, who is openly gay and attended the festival in years past. “There were several of my friends who did go, the only person who died that I’m aware of is Thom.”
Trantalis, who said he was friends with Carr and his husband, Dr. J. Michael Heider, told the Miami Herald that Carr was an engaged member of the Dolphin Isles Homeowners Association and a talented musician. Carr and Heider enjoyed dressing in costumes for parties and traveling the world on cruise ships.
“A genuine, very nice easygoing fellow,” Trantalis said. “He was an important asset to our community that we will no longer be able to share.”
The South Florida Sun Sentinel first reported Carr’s death.
Carr released a piano album in 2014 titled “Broadway & Beyond,” which the music review blog Mostly Piano called a “dazzling collection of twenty-three piano solos” that demonstrated Carr’s versatile style and ability.
“Over the years and especially at this terrible time for the world, Thom brought us joy, music, his special creativity and talents. For that we can be grateful,” Heider said in a Facebook post. “When we can all be together again, there will be a Memorial and Celebration of Life. Your prayers, support, love and friendship will always be appreciated.”
Carr’s sister, Suzi, also shared a tribute on Facebook and said her brother fought coronavirus for 24 days.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better brother and best friend,” Suzi Carr wrote. “I will treasure our lifetime of memories. I am so very thankful for all the love and joy he brought into my life.”
This story was originally published April 15, 2020 at 5:23 PM.
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