Carmine Fusco, 55, of Bath, was well known in the harness racing industry and as a part owner of Wingate Farms in Bushkill Township, where he kept 20 horses. His decades on area racetracks, however, are eclipsed by his death. He was the first victim in both Northampton County and the state to be claimed by the COVID-19 pandemic. He died March 18 at St. Luke’s University Hospital in Fountain Hill. Tragically, he is one of four family members who have succumbed to the virus.

Fusco’s brother, sister and mother also passed away at CentraState Medical Center in Freehold, N.J. Three more family members are infected, with two in critical condition.

Dan Markowitz, majority owner at Wingate Farms, described Fusco as “a hard worker, a true horseman.” He added that the entire family was involved in horse racing.

Fusco was the eldest brother in an Italian-American family that included 11 children and 27 grandchildren. He was also close to Northampton County Judge Anthony Beltrami, who had known Fusco for years and has ridden in several races himself. Judge Beltrami said he is too grief-stricken to comment at this time.