Tributes For Rolando "Epofriend" Montufar

[okarol]

It is with great sadness that I share the news of the passing of IHD member and Moderator Rolando "Epofriend" Montufar. He was 50 years old and had been on dialysis 11 years. We got to see him in Las Vegas and Chicago at IHD meet-ups. Dear friend, rest in peace.
We received a note today from his sister Alene:
Rolando passed away Friday evening at 9:15 pm. He was made comfortable with morphine and Ativan. He rested for a bit to be sure he was at peace. Rolando was then given a bit more and put on oxygen as the ventilator and the blood pressure support medication were discontinued. He was gone a half hour later. Rolando's passing was peaceful. He was in the company of his wife, his three daughters and me.

 

Condolences to Alene and the Montufar family.

okarol/admin

[kitkatz]

Rolando

Once again I get to miss someone special.
Another online friend gone permanently.
A glorious sense of humor
Happy in spite of infirmity and disease
I saw the sparkle and fun he had for life
He loved his partners outrageously
Trips were taken people were met.

I remember strolling Fremont Street in Las Vegas
Outrageous flirting with the showgirls outside the casinos.
He collected bead necklaces like candy
Along with kisses and hugs.
He rolled in his wheelchair with fervor.
He was having a deliciously fun time.
Laughing and flirting with these women.
 Alene right there with him helping and being a friend.

She sent me pictures of snow
At the Grand Canyon.
They had missed going on tour with us, from Las Vegas
So they had their own adventure.
It snowed on the Grand Canyon when they went.
What an adventure!
Slip sliding in and around a canyon with a wheelchair must have been fun.
‘
When you see Rolando, you see Alene.
His partner in crime and travel.
I know you will miss him.
I know your heart breaks.

I know Rolando is in a happier place,
Free from disease and crippling problems.

I see him flying free.
Another guardian angel with wings.

[boswife]

Im back to read and weep again.  I read this with heavy heart and as others, it becomes almost too hard to express our sadness so i just shut it down and come back.  I still have no words, but only my prayers for his family, and 'our' family for this loss.  I am so glad for my faith.  This would all become too hard...  RIP Rolando, rest and rejoice with your creator.

[galvo]

R.I.P.

[Darthvadar]

Oh no!...

Not again, and so soon after Bajanne...   

I HATE this disease!....

May Rolando rest in peace....

Darth...

[glitter]

A sweet soul, Rest In Peace Rolando.

[aharris2]

My dear sweet brother, my best friend in the world is gone. He was a superman, the bravest, strongest man I have ever known. In the face of this horrible disease, he found a way to always be sweet and pleasant and a pleasure to share time with.
Thank you all for your kind words. I can't write more now, but I will soon.

[Zach]

Dear Alene,

I'm so sorry for your loss.
 

[boswife]

((((((((((((((((((Alene )))))))))))))))))))))) more hugs , and more     Please keep in touch and let us know 'your' ok....  With love, jill

[MooseMom]

This has been such a rollercoaster of a year.  It seems that there have been so many losses, but it also seems that there have been so many IHDers who have received the gift of life.  Crushing sadness one day, and then unbridled joy the next.

Today is a crushing sadness day.

[jbeany]

RIP, Rolando.  You will be missed.

[Chris]

R.I.P. Rolando
 
I wanted to post yesterday with a picture of him, Alene, and myself from the Chicago IHD meet and could not find the photos on my hard drives (none have files that fo back as far as 2009). It was great meeting and talking to him and enjoyed going to Zannies Comedy club with him and Alene.
 
Then we all went to the "nut" house.

[okarol]

R.I.P. Rolando
 
I wanted to post yesterday with a picture of him, Alene, and myself from the Chicago IHD meet and could not find the photos on my hard drives (none have files that fo back as far as 2009). It was great meeting and talking to him and enjoyed going to Zannies Comedy club with him and Alene.
 
Then we all went to the "nut" house.

I found your photos here - thanks for the reminder Chris http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?topic=7177.msg157239#msg157239

And here's some from Las Vegas - we went to the Laker game http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?topic=7178.msg180576#msg180576

[cariad]

My heart breaks for you, Alene. My sincerest condolences to you, sweetheart.

Rest in peace, Rolando.

[RichardMEL]

Another very sad loss for our community and he will be missed. RIP.

[aharris2]

It has been a year and a day since my brother, my best friend, passed away. In that year a child was born (on February 15th), Rolando's first born grandson. Papi to three daughters and Grandpapi to two granddaughters, his grandson was the first Y chromosome to present itself in two generations. I'm not sure what I believe but based on the timing the two souls, Grandpapi and grandson, met each other at the doorway to heaven. I only wish he were still here to have been able to be a part of his life... and mine. 

I miss him so... every minute of every day. 

[Zach]

I miss him, too.

But those are wonderful pics.

 

[Jean]

Terribly sad. I am so sorry for your loss.

[Bambino_Bear]

 

[aharris2]

Thanks folks, thank you Zach.

[okarol]

Love the photos Alene, thank you for sharing them with us.
I cannot believe it's been a year. I miss him, my Rico Suave.

[cassandra]

                 

[lola]

Lola is missing her Rico, thinking how happy you would be today. Hope you Suzi and Epo are having a ball together

[okarol]