ORLANDO, Fla. — Terry DeCarlo, the former executive director of The LGBTQ+ Center who became a symbol of strength for the community in the wake of the 2016 Pulse attack, has died.
- Terry DeCarlo was former executive director of The Center
- He was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer last year
- Central Florida leaders expressed their condolences
DeCarlo's husband said DeCarlo died of cancer Monday night. His passing was marked by some of Orlando's top leaders, including Mayor Buddy Dyer and State Rep. Carlos Guillermos Smith.
DeCarlo was well-known in the LGBTQ+ community before the June 2016 attack that took 49 lives and thrust Orlando into the national spotlight. The Center became a hub for victim services, family support, and for volunteers in the aftermath. DeCarlo was executive director and then chief communications director for The Center before moving to South Florida in 2018.
"We need to remember about Terry his compassion, his heart for people, for everyone after Pulse... That is Terry. He did have a beautiful amazing heart," said Roxy Santiago, president of The LGBT+ Center.
Last year, DeCarlo was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer of the neck and face. In October, he underwent surgery to remove a tumor.
"We are heartbroken by the passing of our dear friend Terry DeCarlo," the nonprofit onePulse Foundation said in a statement. "Terry was a passionate advocate for Florida’s LGBTQ community and leaves behind a powerful legacy. We are forever grateful to him for helping our community heal and move forward following the Pulse nightclub tragedy. Our deepest condolences and prayers go out to his husband Bill and his entire family."
An online fundraising account to help DeCarlo and his loved ones with medical expenses had more than $14,300 Tuesday night.
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