A 22-year-old graduate from the University of Rhode Island has tragically died after eating snacks that contained common allergens.
Timothy Howard, who was studying communications research, passed away on May 24 due to a severe allergic reaction to peanuts, as detailed in a heartfelt post by his mother, Patty Howard.
In her emotional message, she expressed, “With my son Timmy’s loss from a fierce anaphylactic reaction to peanuts, I share my heartfelt sorrow. We had just celebrated his graduation, and he had his whole future ahead of him. Our hearts are shattered, and we’ve now joined a club that nobody wants to be part of.”
Patty reflected on the aftermath, noting she’s taking it “one day at a time.” She added, “It’s not goodbye forever until we see you again! We will always love Timmy.”
Howard graduated on May 16 and, according to his father, Tim, the allergic reaction began after he consumed a late-night snack that was contaminated with peanuts.
His father recounted how quickly the situation escalated, saying, “He came in and woke us up, saying he couldn’t breathe. It all unfolded in just a few minutes.” Despite administering several EpiPens, the response wasn’t sufficient.
The family remains uncertain about the amount of contaminated food Timothy consumed.
His fraternity, Phi Kappa Psi, has initiated a fundraiser for food allergy research and education, aiming to prevent such tragedies for other families.
Describing Howard, the fundraiser stated, “Timmie had just begun what he promised to be an incredible journey in life. He was driven, kind, and deeply loved by family, friends, and everyone fortunate enough to know him.”
Despite the sorrow surrounding his loss, it’s heartening to note that the fundraiser exceeded its $25,000 goal.
Growing up in Southborough, Massachusetts, Howard was remembered as a “truly heartfelt, humble, loving, and empathetic soul” with a passion for sports. His obituary highlighted his love for life and time spent with close friends and family.
A memorial service was held in Brewster, Massachusetts, on May 30. Howard is survived by his parents, sister, grandmother, and a large extended family.
