Al Pellegrino Cause of Death: How a Beloved Coach Died Suddenly

Al Pellegrino was a well-known and respected high school football coach and athletic director in Georgia. He had a long and successful career at several schools, including Shaw High School in Columbus, where he worked since 2017. He was loved by his players, colleagues, and community for his dedication, passion, and big heart. But on May 30, 2022, he died unexpectedly while on vacation with his wife in Orlando, Florida. What was the cause of his death? And how did his family, friends, and fans react to the tragic news?

Hypertensive Cardiovascular Disease

According to the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, the cause of Al Pellegrino’s death was hypertensive cardiovascular disease, as determined by the Orange County medical examiner in Orlando. This is a condition where high blood pressure damages the heart and blood vessels, leading to heart failure, stroke, or sudden cardiac arrest. It is one of the most common causes of death in the United States, especially among older adults.

The Ledger-Enquirer reported that Pellegrino was lying in bed and having a conversation with his wife, Ashlee, in their hotel room on the morning of his death. He suddenly stopped talking and became unresponsive. Ashlee called the ambulance, but Pellegrino never regained consciousness and was pronounced dead at the hospital. He was 56 years old.

Pellegrino’s principal at Shaw High School, Sureya Hendrick, told the Ledger-Enquirer that she was not aware of any health problems that Pellegrino might have had. She said that his death “knocked us off our feet” and that he was “so loved” by everyone at the school.

A Legacy of Excellence and Compassion

Pellegrino was a native of Tiptonville, Tennessee, where he graduated from Lake County High School, his alma mater. He played football at the University of Tennessee at Martin and later became a coach at several schools in Tennessee and Georgia. He was the head football coach and athletic director at Shaw High School since 2017, where he led the Raiders to a 19-14 record and two playoff appearances.

Pellegrino was known for his excellence and compassion as a coach and a mentor. He cared deeply about his players and their academic success, as well as their personal growth and character. He was also involved in various community service projects and charitable causes, such as the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the Special Olympics.

Pellegrino’s death was met with an outpouring of grief and tributes from his family, friends, colleagues, and fans. His wife, Ashlee, who is also a teacher at Shaw High School, thanked everyone for their support and prayers in a Facebook post. She wrote, “He was my best friend, my soulmate, my everything. He loved me unconditionally and I will forever be grateful for the time we had together. He was the most amazing husband, father, son, brother, uncle, coach, and friend. He touched so many lives and made a positive impact on everyone he met. He was truly one of a kind and I will miss him more than words can say.”

Pellegrino’s legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of those who knew him and loved him. He was a man who made a difference in the world of high school sports and beyond. He was a man who embodied the spirit of Shaw High School and its motto: “We are Shaw. We are family. We are Raiders.”

Doms Desk

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