Tim Rolando Memorial Fund
Donation protected
Tim Rolando, beloved son, father, brother, and uncle, was called home to our Lord on March 4, 2021. Tim was preceded in death by his best friend and twin brother, Terry, just under 10 years ago, along with his father, just four months ago.
Despite having struggled with mental illness throughout his life, Tim's gentle soul inspired many people. He graciously accepted help for his diagnosis and found a path to build loving relationships, particularly with his family, for which we are eternally grateful.
In February 2020, just before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Tim was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. His physicians gave him 6 months to live. Tim, who lived on his own terms, as much as possible, given his mental illness, kept going longer than any of his clinicians could have imagined. On January 8th, he was given days to live - a week at the outset. Yet, on March 3rd, 2021, he was still amiably visiting with his brother Marc, along with the staff and residents of the skilled nursing facility where he was living. While his body was ravaged with cancer, Tim appeared as if he could live for another several weeks. Alas, it was not to be, and Tim passed on March 4th.
Tim was a tremendously talented and prolific guitarist who shared his love of music with everyone around him. He performed in multiple rock bands, including Counterattack and 8 Foot 4, traveling throughout the Upper Midwest. For several years Tim also taught guitar lessons to children and adults. He passed down his musical excellence to his daughter, Sara Packard (Cricket), who continues playing guitar long after their first lesson together.
Cricket has had a much more challenging life than most. As they (Note: Cricket identifies as non-binary, so will be referred to with the pronoun they/them/their vs. she/her) were born to parents who both suffered from mental illness, they were taken care of by their grandmother (their mom's mother). In addition to losing their father, Cricket lost their mother to suicide at age 11.
Despite enormous challenges, Cricket has demonstrated a tremendous amount of resilience. After being homeless for 14 months, they are now living with a friend in Portland, OR, and was able to obtain employment at the local grocery store. Given Cricket's resilience, along with their intelligence, desire and spirit, they would like to go back to school to complete their college degree. Tim was incredibly excited for Cricket to go back to school and complete their college education.
The entire family is equally confident and excited in Cricket's potential. They are incredibly bright (their mother was a member of Mensa), and earned two years of college credits attending Normandale college in Bloomington, MN during their junior and senior year of high school. Cricket went onto Prescott College in Arizona for a year. They would like to transfer their credits to a University in Oregon, where they now live, and complete a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. Cricket would like to use a combination of their college degree and life experience to help others who are suffering on the margins, including the homeless, those suffering with mental illness, abuse and addiction.
In honor of her father, we would like any memorial donations to go towards supporting Tim's daughter and only child, and the completion of their college education, so they have a stronger foundation for future success.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful gift in honor of Tim and support of Cricket. Any amount that you could donate for this memorial fund is greatly appreciated.
Despite having struggled with mental illness throughout his life, Tim's gentle soul inspired many people. He graciously accepted help for his diagnosis and found a path to build loving relationships, particularly with his family, for which we are eternally grateful.
In February 2020, just before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Tim was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. His physicians gave him 6 months to live. Tim, who lived on his own terms, as much as possible, given his mental illness, kept going longer than any of his clinicians could have imagined. On January 8th, he was given days to live - a week at the outset. Yet, on March 3rd, 2021, he was still amiably visiting with his brother Marc, along with the staff and residents of the skilled nursing facility where he was living. While his body was ravaged with cancer, Tim appeared as if he could live for another several weeks. Alas, it was not to be, and Tim passed on March 4th.
Tim was a tremendously talented and prolific guitarist who shared his love of music with everyone around him. He performed in multiple rock bands, including Counterattack and 8 Foot 4, traveling throughout the Upper Midwest. For several years Tim also taught guitar lessons to children and adults. He passed down his musical excellence to his daughter, Sara Packard (Cricket), who continues playing guitar long after their first lesson together.
Cricket has had a much more challenging life than most. As they (Note: Cricket identifies as non-binary, so will be referred to with the pronoun they/them/their vs. she/her) were born to parents who both suffered from mental illness, they were taken care of by their grandmother (their mom's mother). In addition to losing their father, Cricket lost their mother to suicide at age 11.
Despite enormous challenges, Cricket has demonstrated a tremendous amount of resilience. After being homeless for 14 months, they are now living with a friend in Portland, OR, and was able to obtain employment at the local grocery store. Given Cricket's resilience, along with their intelligence, desire and spirit, they would like to go back to school to complete their college degree. Tim was incredibly excited for Cricket to go back to school and complete their college education.
The entire family is equally confident and excited in Cricket's potential. They are incredibly bright (their mother was a member of Mensa), and earned two years of college credits attending Normandale college in Bloomington, MN during their junior and senior year of high school. Cricket went onto Prescott College in Arizona for a year. They would like to transfer their credits to a University in Oregon, where they now live, and complete a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. Cricket would like to use a combination of their college degree and life experience to help others who are suffering on the margins, including the homeless, those suffering with mental illness, abuse and addiction.
In honor of her father, we would like any memorial donations to go towards supporting Tim's daughter and only child, and the completion of their college education, so they have a stronger foundation for future success.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful gift in honor of Tim and support of Cricket. Any amount that you could donate for this memorial fund is greatly appreciated.
Organizer
Scott Sexton
Organizer
Eden Prairie, MN
