Rhode Island college graduate, 22, dies from allergic reaction days after receiving diploma
A 22-year-old 'kind-hearted' Rhode Island college graduate died after consuming a snack contaminated with a common allergen — just days after he received his diploma.
Timothy Howard, a communication studies student from the University of Rhode Island, died on May 24 after having a severe allergic reaction to peanuts, his mother, Patty Howard, shared in an emotional Facebook post.
'It is with heavy hearts we share the loss of our son Timmy to a severe anaphylactic reaction to peanuts,' she wrote. 'We just celebrated his college graduation and he had his whole life ahead of him. Our hearts are broken and we now have joined a club no one wants to be apart (sic) of.'
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4 Timothy Howard died on May 24 after having a severe allergic reaction to peanuts.
Family Handout via WJAR 10
The heartbroken mother added that she's taking the aftermath of the shocking incident 'one day at a time.'
'It is not goodbye forever it is until we meet again!' she added. 'We will always love our Timmy.'
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Howard earned his degree from the University of Rhode Island on May 16.
Howard's father, Tim, claimed the severe anaphylactic reaction happened when the post-grad ate a late-night snack that was contaminated with peanuts, according to WJAR.
'He came in and woke us up, and said that he couldn't breathe, and at that point, it unfolded very quickly over a matter of minutes,' his father told WJAR. 'And we administered multiple EpiPens. The reaction was too far gone.'
His parents are unsure about how much of the contaminated snack he consumed.
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4 The college graduate had a severe anaphylactic reaction after he ate a late-night snack.
WJAR 10
Howard's frat brothers at Phi Kappa Psi have started a fundraiser for FARE, the Food Allergy Research and Education organization, to 'Prevent other families from facing similar tragedies.'
'Timmy was just beginning what promised to be a remarkable journey in life,' the fundraiser page set up by his fraternity claimed. 'He was driven, kind, and deeply loved by family, friends, and everyone who had the joy of knowing him. He had so much ahead of him, and he approached life with a rare kind of kindness and light. He was the person you could always count on to listen—really listen.'
4 Howard was a communication studies student from the University of Rhode Island.
University of Rhode Island
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4 Howard earned his degree from the University of Rhode Island on May 16.
Family Handout via WJAR 10
The fundraiser surpassed its goal of $25,000.
Howard, who grew up in Southborough, Mass., was remembered as a 'genuinely kind-hearted, humble, loving and empathetic soul' who had a 'passion for sports.'
'He had a love of life and especially loved hanging out with his close high school friends and cousins and his Phi Kappa Psi frat brothers at URI,' his obituary stated. 'Timmy deeply cherished growing up on a cul-de-sac with his 'Foley Crew' of buds who have remained his brothers throughout his life.'
A memorial service happened on May 30 in Brewster, Mass.
Howard is survived by his parents, sister, grandmother, and extended family.
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New York Post
a day ago
- New York Post
Rhode Island college graduate, 22, dies from allergic reaction days after receiving diploma
A 22-year-old 'kind-hearted' Rhode Island college graduate died after consuming a snack contaminated with a common allergen — just days after he received his diploma. Timothy Howard, a communication studies student from the University of Rhode Island, died on May 24 after having a severe allergic reaction to peanuts, his mother, Patty Howard, shared in an emotional Facebook post. 'It is with heavy hearts we share the loss of our son Timmy to a severe anaphylactic reaction to peanuts,' she wrote. 'We just celebrated his college graduation and he had his whole life ahead of him. Our hearts are broken and we now have joined a club no one wants to be apart (sic) of.' Advertisement 4 Timothy Howard died on May 24 after having a severe allergic reaction to peanuts. Family Handout via WJAR 10 The heartbroken mother added that she's taking the aftermath of the shocking incident 'one day at a time.' 'It is not goodbye forever it is until we meet again!' she added. 'We will always love our Timmy.' Advertisement Howard earned his degree from the University of Rhode Island on May 16. Howard's father, Tim, claimed the severe anaphylactic reaction happened when the post-grad ate a late-night snack that was contaminated with peanuts, according to WJAR. 'He came in and woke us up, and said that he couldn't breathe, and at that point, it unfolded very quickly over a matter of minutes,' his father told WJAR. 'And we administered multiple EpiPens. The reaction was too far gone.' His parents are unsure about how much of the contaminated snack he consumed. Advertisement 4 The college graduate had a severe anaphylactic reaction after he ate a late-night snack. WJAR 10 Howard's frat brothers at Phi Kappa Psi have started a fundraiser for FARE, the Food Allergy Research and Education organization, to 'Prevent other families from facing similar tragedies.' 'Timmy was just beginning what promised to be a remarkable journey in life,' the fundraiser page set up by his fraternity claimed. 'He was driven, kind, and deeply loved by family, friends, and everyone who had the joy of knowing him. He had so much ahead of him, and he approached life with a rare kind of kindness and light. He was the person you could always count on to listen—really listen.' 4 Howard was a communication studies student from the University of Rhode Island. University of Rhode Island Advertisement 4 Howard earned his degree from the University of Rhode Island on May 16. Family Handout via WJAR 10 The fundraiser surpassed its goal of $25,000. Howard, who grew up in Southborough, Mass., was remembered as a 'genuinely kind-hearted, humble, loving and empathetic soul' who had a 'passion for sports.' 'He had a love of life and especially loved hanging out with his close high school friends and cousins and his Phi Kappa Psi frat brothers at URI,' his obituary stated. 'Timmy deeply cherished growing up on a cul-de-sac with his 'Foley Crew' of buds who have remained his brothers throughout his life.' A memorial service happened on May 30 in Brewster, Mass. Howard is survived by his parents, sister, grandmother, and extended family.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
22-Year-Old Dies from Peanut Allergy Days After Graduation: 'Had His Whole Life Ahead of Him'
A 22-year-old has died from a peanut allergy just days after graduating from the University of Rhode Island with a degree in communication studies, per NBC-affiliated station WJAR Timothy "Timmy" Howard suffered a severe anaphylactic reaction, his family confirmed, sharing an emotional tribute "We just celebrated his college graduation and he had his whole life ahead of him," Timmy's mom, Patty Howard, wrote on FacebookA 22-year-old's family has shared a heartbreaking tribute after he died from a peanut allergy just days after his graduation. Timothy "Timmy" Howard died on May 24 after suffering a severe anaphylactic reaction, just days after he graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a degree in communication studies, per NBC-affiliated station WJAR. Timmy's mom, Patty Howard, told the outlet, 'A positive, upbeat, kind, quiet soul. He was on the cusp of living his life.' Patty added of her son in a Facebook post on May 25, "We just celebrated his college graduation and he had his whole life ahead of him. Our hearts are broken and we now have joined a club no one wants to be apart of." "Please hug your children a little tighter today, don't sweat the small stuff and spread kindness to this world," she wrote, alongside multiple photos. Timmy's family revealed he had eaten a late-night snack at home that had been contaminated, per WJAR. His father, Tim Howard, said, 'He came in and woke us up and said that he couldn't breathe. At that point, it unfolded very quickly,' the outlet reported. The family administered Timmy's EpiPen and called 911, but it was too late, the station stated. In a Facebook post, Patty confirmed Timmy's college frat brothers had "started a in loving memory fundraiser page to spread education, food allergy awareness and advancing anaphylaxis research and treatment options," sharing a link to the Give A Hand page, which is raising money for the Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) organization. "Timmy was just beginning what promised to be a remarkable journey in life," a description on the page read. "He was driven, kind, and deeply loved by family, friends, and everyone who had the joy of knowing him. He had so much ahead of him, and he approached life with a rare kind of kindness and light." "He truly was one of the good ones—gentle, thoughtful, and full of love for others. His unexpected passing has left a profound void, but we are committed to honoring his memory in a way that brings purpose and change," the post continued. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Loved ones insisted that raising money for FARE, would "help prevent other families from facing similar tragedies, and to make the world safer for those living with life-threatening allergies," saying it's what they believe, "Timmy would have wanted." "It is not goodbye forever it is until we meet again! We will always love our Timmy," Patty concluded in her Facebook post. The page had raised over $25,500 as of Thursday, June 5. PEOPLE has reached out to Patty Howard for a tribute but did not immediately hear back. Read the original article on People
Boston Globe
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With love, 96-year-old Jeanette Milaschewski hand sews curtains for new Salvation Army cafe in Newburyport
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