A San Diego man\u00a0died earlier this month following a rock climbing accident in Big Bear, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff\u2019s Department.<\/p>\n
Andrew Ferrarone, 33, who lived in North Park, was climbing at one of his favorite spots, Castle Rock, with his wife and another couple July 12. While setting up his equipment, he fell roughly 20 feet.<\/p>\n
He suffered head trauma, according to the sheriff\u2019s department, and was hoisted by a rescue helicopter to the Loma Linda University Medical Center around 5:30 p.m.<\/p>\n
Three days later, Ferrarone died.<\/p>\n
\u201cAndy is a pro-level rock climber,\u201d said close friend Brian Cox. \u201cHe\u2019s an expert at his craft. \u2026 He taught me how to rock climb.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ferrarone leaves behind his wife, Nina, who is more than eight weeks pregnant.<\/p>\n
He grew up in Philadelphia and then Peachtree Corners, Ga., with triplet siblings, then lived in San Francisco and Lake Tahoe before moving to San Diego with Nina.<\/p>\n
He worked as a software engineer with Cox before recently accepting a remote position in San Francisco.<\/p>\n
\u201cAndy is the single kindest person I know,\u201d Cox said. \u201cHe was an angel we were borrowing for some time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ferrarone was an avid hobbyist, according to his obituary<\/a>. He enjoyed rock climbing, snowboarding, tennis, photography, sailing, jazz piano, art and design, and skydiving, it states.<\/p>\n Cox said his long-time friend was the type to call him randomly to check in and ask to come over and cook him food.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s how he behaves,\u201d Cox said. \u201cHe\u2019s the giving guy. \u2026 He\u2019ll secretly pay for the bill.\u201d<\/p>\n