Christmas

One of my favorite Christmas memories is how Gary and Roland "took me under their wings", during a Christmas party. I was feeling a bit out of place, and you both made me feel relaxed and welcome.  We laughed and joked, you complimented me on my shirt.  I am sure  this small kindness was maybe forgotten by you all, but not by me. That memory of Roland still warms my heart. And Gary, every time I see that shirt, it reminds me how a powerful a seemingly small kindness can be. Thank you for that moment. I wish you well.  With much love and gratitude, Christina Mikkelsen

Gary and Roland in San Francisco

A nice day :)

Two Years Later - Thinking of Roland and Gary

Roland was a thoughtful and kind man. We think of him often and still miss him very much. We have many fond memories of very good times together...

Love,
Laura & Bill

~~~~~~~

Dear Roland,

I can still hear your funny voice and laughter. Miss you.

Love,
Roberto

~~~~~~~

Dear Roland,
I really miss you and think of you often. 

I always felt so comfortable around you and enjoyed spending time with you.  When I think of you, I think of your low-key, kind, and silly presence, Longhorn t-shirts, your Master's degree graduation, going out to eat with you guys in Austin, having you all show us around San Francisco, ... to mention a few things.  You and Gary were such a cute couple and I am so glad I got to know you.

Thank you for being such a special person in my life.  I love you and will always remember you.


Love,
Erin

electrons

We know that Roland's electrons are always around, anyway, in the form of our photos from visits to Dallas and our visits to Austin. We always enjoyed dinners at the Vietnamese Restaurant in Austin. I just saw one of him with Princess Addie in our house. He always had a great, dry sense of humor. It's tough that he's gone.

Bill and Laura

Two years later

If you haven't seen the mini-series Top of the Lake, it's a good flick if you like mysteries; I think Roland would have liked the show. Holly Hunter is a hoot, and one of her lines really stuck with me...

"In nature, there is no death, only a reshuffling of atoms..."

I like to think about Roland surrounding us in ways we do not know. I certainly imagine if he has a say, he's in the air when we're cheering on the UT Longhorns!, being silly, enjoying a good margarita, or making a colleague or a friend feel better.

Roland, I still sometimes can't believe you're not hanging in Austin with Uncle Gary and Ally Cat. Then again, maybe you are :-)

Much love,
Jess

We remember YOU each and every day!

Roland, today is the second anniversary of your passing. You are still very much in my thoughts and sorely missed every day.

Love,

Gary

fun memory

I have a fun memory of Roland. It was in my college years. Jessica, Gary, Roland and I went to dinner at a place called Sfuzi's. It has changed hands several times by now but back then it was a fancy little European type bistro. Anyway we must have been celebrating an accomplishment or perhaps a birthday. During the course of the meal someone said something funny just as I had taken a big gulp of water and I ended up spraying it all over the table. Of course I was mortified but Roland was the leader in just laughing it off.
I miss his sweet, happy, and fun spirit! My thoughts are with you Gary in this difficult time...
Love,
Anna

Greatly Missed

Roland, we all are going to miss you so much. You were always in such an easygoing and joyous mood. I could not help but be a little happier in your presence. It is so sad that you were taken away so young and unexpectedly.

Gary, I know Roland’s passing is going to leave such a huge hole in your life. You both seemed so happy in each others presence and he was lucky to have found you as a partner; you guys had many wonderful years together.

Love you both,
J.C.

Te extraniamos Roland...

Dear Roland,

We miss you so much...I was really looking to see you these holidays and joke around with your incredible sense of humor...

Big hugs and my deepest condolences to Gary and to your family.

XOXO,
Roberto

Missing you....

Missing you, Uncle Roland. :(  And thinking of you, Uncle Gary.

XOXO,
Erin, Roberto, and Luca

Guestbook from the Austin American Statesman Guest Book, Roland loved by so many people from all over...

With our deepest sympathies...in our thoughts and prayers...may Rolanod rest in peace. Love, The Elizarde Family

~ Debbie Elizarde, from Harlingen, Texas

 

Our warmest condolences to Gary Maitre and our prayers to the Chavez Family. May your fond memories bring some comfort.

- Rosa and John Randolph, from  Austin, Texas

 

My condolences to the Chavez Family and to Gary Maitre. You can rest a little easier knowing that you are being watched from above by the newest angel in Heaven.

~ Bethina Delgado, Harlingen, Texas

 

You are in our thoughts and prayers.

~ sofia garcia, from Harlingen, Texas

 

My condolences to all the Chavez Families. I shared many Band memories with Rolando at Coakley & the Harlingen Cardinal Band. He will truly be missed! May the Lord comfort you through this trying time. My prayers are with you all.

~ Elizabeth (Betsy) De La Rosa Avila, from San Benito, Texas

 

My condolences to Gary Maitre and the Chavez family. May your memories give you solace in this time of loss.

- Kate Murphy

 

My Deepest condolences to you Gary Maitre and to the Chavez Family. I am so sorry for your loss of such a wonderful man. I am honored to have known Rolando and to have memories of him. You all are in my prayers as I lift you all up to our Lord.

~ Helen Castillo Jackson, from Plano, Texas

 

Our condolences to the Chavez family. We are thinking of you and will keep you all in our prayers.

~ Saldivar and Hodgson Family, from Harlingen, Texas

 

My sincere condolences to the Chavez family and to Gary. I am a friend and co-worker of Roland's and have known him about 12 years. I always thought of Roland as one of the finer people of the world. He always made me smile. He is greatly missed.

~ Yvonne Buonamici, from Austin, Texas

 

Dear Chavez Family, My heartfelt sympathies to all of you. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. I want you to know that I always have held you in the highest esteem. I know that you will carry on and you have my best wishes for the future. Sincerely, Coach Morley

~ Robert Morley, from  Harlingen, Texas

 

Our deepest condolences to Gary Maitre and the Chavez Family. We are so very sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

~ Clifford and Shaela Wilson, from Lockhart, Texas

 

Roland was a kind-hearted and loving man who will be missed by all who knew him. He was fortunate to have Gary Maitre in his life for 16 years, especially at the end when Gary stood by him faithfully and lovingly.

~ Ron Ozio, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

 

Roland was a good friend and will be greatly missed here in Austin. My deepest condolences to his family and longtime partner, Gary Maitre.

~ Dennis Haney, from Austin, Texas

 

My condolences to the entire Chavez family, especially Salomon and Edith, my thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

~ Joey Leal, from  Cypress, Texas

 

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

~ Chris Kretz, from Los Fresnos, Texas

Guestbook from the Austin American Statesman

My family and I felt blessed to have this wonderful man in our lives for 16 1/2 years. His humor, wit, kindness, and love will be forever missed. Our hearts ache for his devoted partner Gary and the Chavez family, especially Roland's mother and twin, Rod.

- Denise Gilden, from Buffalo, New York

 

Roland was one of those unforgettable people that left a smile on your soul...I will never forget him! My thoughts are with all of you because during this time...His B&T family in SF miss him greatly!

-  Mary Azzopardi, from San Francisco, California

 

A kind and gentle soul, a wonderful and loving companion to Gary, and a true joy of a man. He will be missed and our family is sad to know of his sudden passing. Our hearts are broken with yours, Gary.

- Carmen Rivera-Worley, from Denton, Texas

 

I worked with Roland in San Francisco for over two years. Roland and I had a lot in common, as I am from Austin and went to college there. I used to call him "old man" because he was two months older than I; but I never thought he would leave our world so soon. Roland reminded me of my brothers: he liked to tease his women friends, but underneath it he was so gentle and protective of us. His passing has left a huge hole in my heart, and Gary and the Chavez family are in my thoughts and prayers.

- Ann Hardesty, from Oakland, California

 

My prayers are with all the people Roland loved. He seemed such a happy and loving individual; therefore, he was obviously loved and cared for by his family. We were all lucky to have such an individual touch our lives. Bless all of you!

- Kathleen Yeoman, from Austin, Texas

Roland was the best guy ever! All of us loved him and will miss him greatly.

~ Lisa Heino, from Austin, Texas

 

So sorry to hear about Rolando's passing. I have nothing but fond memories of Rolando from band. Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

- Debbie (Veale) Kelly, from Harlingen, Texas

 

So sorry for this loss ... Rolando nothing but good times in band ... Those fun times and unique bonds are lifetime and I will never forget ... I can still see you playing French Horn ... GOD BLESS

~ JOE CORRAL, from DALLAS, Texas

 

You were and always be a very good friend and classmate, God bless you, rest in peace and you will be missed!!

- Elena Lopez Marcum (San Antonio, TX)

 

My deepest condolences. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.- Sonia Longoria, from Mission, Texas

AIDS Services of Austin

Morning,

Several people have asked about a charity they could donate to in honor of Roland and in support of Gary.

Before their move to San Fran, Gary and Roland were both active on the HIV Planning Council in Austin, so this is definitely a way to keep Roland alive, through supporting the important work of AIDS Services of Austin.

To donate go to:
http://www.asaustin.org

Love
Jess

Remembering Roland and Supporting Uncle Gary

I still can't really get my brain wrapped around Rolly not being here with us, at least not in the way we are used to recognizing. I have found myself comforted with the "answers" and lack of answers I have been giving Addison about Roland. While I don't fully know what I do and don't believe about certain spiritual questions, I have decided to embrace the childlike wonder and imagination and with Halloween around the corner, right now Roland is a friendly visitor in our home.

My sister and I are starting this blog in hopes it can be a way to remember Roland, to laugh and cry, and to keep him alive through a celebration and remembering of his gorgeous smile, funny ways and how he didn't take life too seriously. Seems important to follow his lead. He was silly and irreverent and I am trying to learn from that.

We also want this to be a way to express our support to Uncle Gary and to acknolwedge the wonderful relationship he and Rolly shared--- filled with love, humor, and romance.

We hope others will also share and post their thoughts, feelings and memories of Roland, as well as their support for Uncle Gary.

Roland, you are with us. Uncle Gary, we hope this blog connects people from all over, who love you and Roland, wrapping one HUGE ol' hug around you.

Much love,
Jess, JC, Addie and Samantha

Using this Blog

There are a few different ways you can share your thoughts, memories, stories and pictures on this blog. You can simply comment on a blog posting or you can become an "author" on the blog, allowing you to upload pictures, create your own posts, etc.

If you would like to add pictures and posts, rather than just comment, please just email me at snelljohns@yahoo.com and I'll add you right away. There can be up to 100 authors for the blog.

Please spread the word about the blog!
rememberingrolandchavez.blogspot.com

Jessica