Just days after the joyous celebration of his college graduation, 22-year-old Timothy Howard’s life was tragically cut short in the most unexpected way.
What should have been the start of an exciting new chapter ended in heartbreak, after a late-night snack—unbeknownst to him—contained peanuts, triggering a fatal allergic reaction.
Timothy Myles Howard passed away on May 24, leaving a stunned and grieving community behind. His mother, Patty Howard, shared the devastating news on social media, capturing the shock and sorrow that engulfed his family.
According to Patty and Tim Howard, the incident unfolded suddenly and without warning. Timothy came to his parents in the night, struggling to breathe. Despite their quick response—using an EpiPen and calling emergency services—the severity of the reaction was too much to overcome.
“He woke us up saying he couldn’t breathe. It all happened so fast,” his father told NBC affiliate 10WJAR.
Only a little over a week before, Patty had been proudly posting photos of her son’s graduation from the University of Rhode Island, where he earned a degree in Communication Studies. The sharp contrast between those moments of joy and the tragedy that followed is heartbreaking.
In a poignant Facebook post, Patty wrote, “It is with heavy hearts we share the loss of our son Timmy to a severe anaphylactic reaction to peanuts. We had just celebrated his graduation. He had his whole life ahead of him. Our hearts are shattered—we’ve joined a club no one ever wants to be part of.”
She urged others to hold their loved ones a little closer, to let go of trivial worries, and to live with kindness and compassion.
In honor of Timothy’s memory, his fraternity brothers have organized a fundraiser dedicated to raising awareness about food allergies and supporting research into better treatments for anaphylaxis. The campaign has already raised over $27,500 to benefit the nonprofit Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE).
Timothy, from Southborough, Massachusetts, was described as a kind, thoughtful young man who touched everyone he met. His family remembers him as a listener without judgment, someone who made people feel truly seen and heard. His calm and optimistic spirit was a steady light in difficult times.
“Timmy was just starting what promised to be an extraordinary life,” the family’s tribute reads. “He was driven, compassionate, and deeply loved by family, friends, and everyone lucky enough to know him.”
In addition to advocating for allergy awareness, Timothy’s legacy includes promoting organ donation—a cause he supported during his lifetime.
While his passing leaves a profound emptiness, Timothy’s story is sparking a vital conversation about the dangers of food allergies and the urgent need for vigilance and research. His life, though tragically brief, continues to inspire kindness, courage, and hope.
As the community mourns, they also commit to carrying his memory forward—ensuring that Timothy’s legacy helps protect others from similar heartbreak, and that his bright spirit lives on in every act of love and awareness shared in his name.