Tele-vigil to be held for Brooklyn principal who died from coronavirus

BROOKLYN — Despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, a community will come together to remember one of their own who was lost to the virus.

Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams tweeted that there will be a "tele-vigil" Wednesday night at 7 p.m. for Dezann Romain, the 36-year-old principal at Brooklyn Democracy Academy in Brownsville. The vigil will be held via the Zoom conferencing technology.

Romain was promoted from assistant principal to principal just four years ago.

PIX11 News spoke to Romain’s landlord and good friend, who was shocked at ther death.

“She’s athletic healthy, very kind, very polite — everything,” said Buzinover.

He said he saw her just last week and she appeared healthy, and she was always putting in long hours for her students and loved her job.

Romain’s school, Brooklyn Democracy Academy in Brownsville, is known for helping students who have dropped out or fallen behind get back into their curriculum and excel.

“This is painful for all of us, and I extend my deepest condolences to the Brooklyn Democracy Academy community, and the family of Principal Romain," said Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza. "We’re all experiencing a deep sense of confusion, uncertainty and sadness and it’s more important than ever to provide support to one another."

Her union representing principals also released a statement.

"Our prayers are with her family and school community as we mourn alongside them," said Craig DiFolco, communications director. "Please keep Principal Romain in your thoughts and continue to do everything possible to keep yourselves and your loved ones safe during this health crisis."

There are 17,856 cases of coronavirus in New York City and 199 deaths, according to the mayor's office. Of the positive cases, 4,656 are in Brooklyn.