Anthony J Rolando

A Jewell here on Earth, A Jewell in Heaven Anthony James Rolando, 55 of Oswego and Sandy Creek New York and Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, passed away on Sunday, June 23, 2024 at Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse following a brief illness with his loving wife and best friends by his side. Anthony was born in Carlton, Victoria, and raised in the Yarro Valley of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, he was the son of Raymond and Heather Rolando. Anthony first came to the US as an exchange student and was a 1987 graduate of Sandy Creek Central School. He held two Bachelor’s with Honors degrees from La Trobe University in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. He returned several times over the years to visit, and remained in contact with many of his Sandy Creek school friends and teachers over the years. Anthony ran a farm supply business started by his father for several years in Melbourne and also consulted for mining companies to repurpose land for farming. He had ran for Parliament in Australia, and although he did not get elected, he drafted proposals that were used to help with the recovery efforts following a massive bush fire that had also destroyed his home and business in King Lake, Queensland, Australia and took many lives. He loved the US and always dreamed of making his permanent home here. That dream came true when he and his wife found each other in 2019, 32 years after meeting at Sandy Creek Central School. He was a proponent of organ donation, having received a double organ transplant on February 14, 2022. He exceeded expectations with is recovery, enjoying every day with a smile and quick wit. Anthony and his wife recently moved back to Central New York from Kentucky in January 2024. He was employed by Jefferson-Lewis County BOCES at the Lowville ACES school teaching science. He was also a brilliant writer of childrens stories and fairy tales, and released his first three publications in December 2023, making Amazon’s best seller list for his story The Golden Lock. Anthony is survived by his loving wife, Gail (Bouchard) Rolando, of Oswego and Sandy Creek, NY, his mum, Heather Rolando of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, three sisters, Tania Rolando of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, Lisa Smith of Alexandra, Victoria, Australia, Julie Brown, of Ringwood, Victoria, Australia, son Zachary Thomson (Chelsea) and grandson Lochlan of Parish, NY, daughter Alice Rolando and son Spencer Rolando (Katrina) of Woori Yallock, Victoria, Australia, and daughter Piper Rolando (Julia) of Mannsville, NY, step son Robert Rice (Sarah) and grandchildren Tucker and Emily of Pulaski, NY, and several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews in Australia. He was predeceased by his father, Raymond Rolando of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia and daughter Phoebe Rolando (Julia) of King Lake, Queensland, Australia and Mannsville, NY. Anthony had a quick, bright smile for everyone he met, with a mischievous twinkle in his blue eyes. Everyone that knew him, loved him, and he is so terribly missed, especially by his wife, children and family. He was a gentle soul who brought joy to all who knew him. He loved the outdoors and being close to the water, planting things and watching them grow. He loved writing children’s stories and seeing children laugh. His goal in life was to make his children proud, for he loved them more than his heart could hold. His wife and family would like to thank Susan (Bremm) Honness and son Mark Miligy, Jody Parker, Vernetta and Chris Mulpagano for their friendship, help moving back to NY, and for their love and support during Anthony’s illness. Anthony’s final wish was to be cremated without preceding services. That wish will be honored, and a celebration of life will be held in his honor and memory at he and Gail’s home, on Saturday, July 6, 2024. Location and Time will be sent out via Facebook in coming days. From Anthony’s wife: Words cannot express how devastated I am. Anthony gave me the happiest years of my life, and nothing could ever replace the love we shared. I miss him more than I can say, he brought out the best of me and gave me so much confidence in myself. I do not know how I am going to navigate this life without him, but somehow I will, always looking forward to when we will be together again. GoNo Loonkwa, tse’tak -My love for you is eternal and forever, I love you Anthony. It will never be good bye, it is until I meet you there. I cried when you passed away, I still cry today. Although I loved you dearly, I couldn’t make you stay. A Golden Heart stopped beating, hard working hands at rest, God broke my heart to prove to me, He only takes the best.

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