A Massachusetts family is grieving an unimaginable loss after 22-year-old Timothy Howard died from a severe allergic reaction to peanuts just days after celebrating his college graduation.

Timothy, a recent graduate from the University of Rhode Island with a degree in Communication Studies, suffered a fatal anaphylactic reaction on May 24. His parents, Tim and Patty Howard, said the reaction came on suddenly in the middle of the night.

“He came in and woke us up and said that he couldn’t breathe,” his father recalled in a heartbreaking interview with NBC affiliate TurnTo10. “At that point, it unfolded very quickly.”

Despite immediately administering his EpiPen and calling 911, Timothy’s parents were unable to save him. The allergen had already triggered a full-blown crisis.

Patty later shared the devastating news on Facebook: “It is with heavy hearts we share the loss of our son Timmy to a severe anaphylactic reaction to peanuts. We just celebrated his college graduation and he had his whole life ahead of him. Our hearts are broken and we now have joined a club no one wants to be a part of.”

She urged others to “hug your children a little tighter today, don’t sweat the small stuff, and spread kindness to this world.”