“Tim always made me laugh, remembers Karen D’Onofrio Ziegler. “When I was a tiny baby he made me laugh, my mom says, and he kept us laughing through life. He was goofy, silly, fun. He was the good big brother who always protected me. People called him my bodyguard. When we opened the chocolate shop, he was the only one with actual food service experience. He started out cleaning and organizing, but he learned chocolate too.”

The D’Onofrio family, led by parents John and Norene, gathers around a table at Stargazer Fine Chocolates and Coffee in Denver. From hand to hand, they pass a framed photo of their beloved family member Tim, who passed away at age 40 in 2023. Tears flow freely, punctuated by laughter.

There’s a reason, now three years on, that the D’Onofrios want Tim’s story to be known beyond their close circles.

Every few minutes, a customer walks in the door to gaze at the exquisitely crafted offerings behind glass and in decorative gift boxes. At these interruptions, John jumps up to warmly greet each visitor: “This is a family business! And right here’s the family—my wife Norene and my daughters Julie and Karen.”

Fresh emotions still surge with the memories. Tim’s older sister Julie recalls, “He really embraced the role of fun uncle. He was there for every family celebration. Wrestling with the kids, he loved every minute. He was godfather to one of my sons, who would call out, “Hello godfather!” We’d all laugh at how it sounded.

Norene chimes in: “Tim lived in a musical! He would break into song and dance while working.” He drew everyone into his joy.

And, the family acknowledges, there remain much, much harder memories. John takes a deep breath, for a side of the story he also wants people to hear. “When Tim was in high school we started to notice some concerning things—teen struggles? For two years, Tim’s hardships deepened into homelessness, job loss, and a short time in a county jail. His family agonized over Tim’s situation during these heartbreaking times, wrestling with how to help without enabling.  Then came the breakthrough.

During an extended hospital stay, Tim finally received a definitive diagnosis: schizoaffective disorder (bipolar type). It was hard news, but it gave a framework for understanding. He recognized his disability and took ownership of his treatment and management of his medications.  Tim found Dr. Ben Green, a remarkably skilled psychiatrist, and they built a trusting relationship which allowed him to thrive for the next two decades.

Thanks to Dr. Green’s mental health support and his family’s love, Tim was also able to enjoy fulfilling aspects of life—and be a delight and encouragement to others. He found stability and peace. In an especially fruitful period, Tim became John’s right-hand man in the family insurance business. Later he became part of the Stargazer Chocolate team with Karen as his partner, each taking responsibility for their specific areas of expertise.

Heartbreakingly, before he turned 40, Tim suffered a major setback. Dr. Green retired—and Tim couldn’t adjust to new services. His beloved cat Char, closest companion, died. Tim disappeared for a long stretch. Julie worked tirelessly to locate her brother and finally made contact in another state.

“I’m not sure he ever made another full commitment to recovery,” John says. “But he did move into a Longmont apartment and got a job at an IHOP restaurant. We were in touch, and it seemed like maybe things might be looking up.” John begins to recount an ordinary conversation with Tim, which he never imagined would be their last.

As John becomes overwhelmed with emotions recounting that day, Norene gently continues. “We got a knock on the door. The two officers were so sensitive and kind. I couldn’t really process what they were saying. Something about the maintenance man finding Tim deceased in his apartment. I couldn’t grasp it.”

“They found drugs in his system. We didn’t know, though at times we suspected. Maybe from his times on the streets….” John’s voice trails off again. The family agrees there is no reason to think Tim intended to die that night.

John squares his shoulders and declares, “Here’s the deal. We’re people of faith. We want Tim’s legacy to be a blessing to others, down through generations. We want to help others find the kind of mental health help that allowed Tim to have so many joyful experiences and be a blessing to others during his time on earth. To that end, we have formalized “The Stargazer Family Charitable Fund.”

The D’Onofrios’ connection with Mile High Ministries had been prompted by Karen’s husband, Drew Ziegler (son-in-law to John and Norene). Drew grew up as a youth volunteer with MHM’s mission teams working with Romanian orphans, and he spent weekly preparation time at Joshua Station. The setting among people coming out of homelessness made an imprint on Drew, which only grew as he became family with Tim. As shared grief grew to include generosity, Drew’s idea to consider Joshua Station took hold.

The family’s inaugural gift of $50,000 is to Joshua Station at Mile High Ministries, for the purpose of greatly expanding Joshua Station’s mental health services for people coming out of homelessness. Clearly, the imprint of Tim’s story is all over this grace-filled donation.

“That’s just the start,” John enthuses. I’m asking every single person who is touched by Tim’s life and story to give toward this expansion project. If it can inspire people for the 2026 Spring Into Caring fundraising campaign, we couldn’t be more pleased. And in the years to come!”

Mile High Ministries is deeply honored to be invited into the D’Onofrio family story. We invite you to join them in giving toward this meaningful work. And we hope you can meet them at our Spring Into Caring celebration April 9… they’re very good at giving hugs.

Help us raise $150,000 for our Joshua Station families by April 9!

Please also join us and invite friends to our

Spring Into Caring Celebration Event

When: Thursday April 9, 5:15-7:00pm

Where: Mile High Ministries, 913 North Wyandot Street, Denver

What: Come enjoy hearty appetizers and beverages in a relaxed setting, with exciting program updates by staff in our Wyandot Building (located next to Joshua Station). Then we’ll go next door to Joshua Station for dessert with our wonderful residents.

RSVP by Sunday April 5:

For more information about our April 9 gathering, please call Shana at 720-756-7214.