Rolando was born in Brunswick, ME, on Dec. 4, 1992. His family moved to nearby Harpswell not long afterward. From kindergarten to eighth grade, Rolando attended the St. John’s Catholic School in Brunswick, Maine. While developing academically at parochial school, he learned the values of respecting others in earning his Black Belt in Shaolin Kempo at the Brunswick Martial Arts Academy. In 2011, Rolando graduated from Mt. Ararat High School in Topsham, where he lettered in three sports and lead two teams as captain.
Rolando would say his greatest achievement was acceptance to the United States Naval Academy. Following a year at the Naval Academy Preparatory School in Newport, RI, Rolando entered the USNA class of 2016. At the academy, he spent countless hours as a volunteer with the local community and led the Battalion as Sports Boss. He studied mechanical engineering and maintained exemplary grades throughout to include making the Commandant and Superintendent’s List every semester. But he was never one to brag.
Rolando was a naturalborn leader. Midshipmen tell stories of his feats: The time he singlehandedly lifted a log meant to be carried by eight strong sailors, or the multiple occasions when he physically carried injured classmates through significant portions of physical events. He even led the charge on climbing the Herndon Monument, the culminating event of Plebe year. Both physically and metaphorically, he took joy in carrying the burden of the cross: being a confidant to all, a supporter to the Plebes, and a dear friend who was always game for adventure (or for just catching a movie).
For a man who could lift a small house, Rolando remained a gentle and humble soul, a comforter and encourager. Rolando was strengthened by his faith, known for holding regular devotionals in his company wardroom and spurring many of his peers to reawaken their spiritual lives. He lived every day dedicated and devoted to Jesus Christ.
Rolando Amador is survived by his parents, Dr. Rolando S. and Mrs. Maria Amador, his sister and brother-in-law, Ms. Ana Maria and SRA Matthew Rogers, and by countless friends and admirers. He will be dearly missed.
A memorial service will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 12, at the United States Naval Academy Chapel. Interment will follow in the U.S. Naval Academy Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests consideration be made for donations in honor of Rolando to: United States Naval Academy Midshipmen Welfare Fund, c/o Comptroller Department, 181 Wainwright Road, Annapolis, MD 21402 (payable to U.S. Naval Academy and include in the memo line: MWF/ In Memory of Rolando Amador); Saint John’s Catholic School, 37 Pleasant St., Brunswick, ME 04011 (include in the memo, “Rolando Amador Memorial Scholarship Fund”); or The Wounded Warrior Project, an organization that meant a great deal to their beloved son.
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