Rolando Miranda

Rolando Miranda realized his final desire on August 9, 2019 as he passed away comfortably in the home he loved and created with his wife Mary Jane Miranda. Rolando Javier Miranda Pizarro was born on February 15, 1929 in Rancagua, Chile and soon moved to the copper mining town of Sewell. He attended school there and grew up hiking and skiing in the Andes mountains until he moved to Rancagua, and later the capital city of Santiago where he completed his secondary education.

Rolando was the first of his family to immigrate to the United States, arriving in Waterville, Maine in 1950, where he attended the Coburn Classical Institute prior to matriculating at the University of Maine, Orono, where he received his Bachelor’s of Science in Engineering, was a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity and met the love of his life, Mary Jane Mitchell.

Rolando and Mary Jane were wed on June 16, 1956 and enjoyed 63 years of married life. They purchased their first home in Jefferson, New Hampshire where he started working for Brown Paper Company. They moved to Bangor, Maine in 1958 where Rolando continued to work in the paper industry. After a move to nearby Veazie, they started their family, and were joined by their son Ricardo in 1960, and their daughter Victoria in 1962. In 1963, Rolando and family moved to Arecibo, Puerto Rico where Rolando worked for International Paper.


In 1966, Rolando came to Plattsburgh, NY for a position with Georgia Pacific making Plattsburgh his home for the remaining 53 years of his life. He pursued his love for the mountains in the Adirondacks and the North Country where he became a member of the Beartown Ski Area Board of Directors and Ski Patrol Leader. He also was a Ski Patroller at Paleface Ski Area. Rolando later went on to join the Whiteface Ski Patrol and was proud to be chosen as a member of the 1980 Olympic Ski Patrol. Rolando taught many how to ski at Beartown and was eager to introduce people to the sport he loved. In the Spring, Summer, and Fall, he enjoyed hiking the High Peaks of the Adirondacks, eventually becoming an ADK 46’er.

Rolando considered himself fortunate to have been a foreign student and was grateful for the welcome he received in this country. When he was able, he reciprocated and the Miranda’s became a Host Family for foreign students attending Plattsburgh State University. Over the years, the Miranda’s hosted dozens of students from all over the world, for periods as short as a weekend, and as long as an academic year. These relationships were cherished and several continued until his final days. One of his greatest interests was exploring differences and similarities of other cultures and he thought of himself as a citizen of the world.

After Rolando departed from the paper industry, he volunteered at the Crisis Center in Plattsburgh, did translating work for the court system, and was a Spanish Instructor at Plattsburgh State University. Rolando also spent many hours in his basement workshop where he produced original toys and gadgets, beautiful carvings, and lovely wood furniture.

Rolando is survived by his wife, Mary Jane Miranda, his son Ricardo Miranda, his daughter Victoria Doran (Scott Doran), his brother Jaime Miranda, and five grandchildren: Katelyn Doran, Andrew Doran, Benjamin Doran, Alessandra Miranda, and Gabriella Miranda. Rolando was predeceased by his father Francisco Javier Miranda, his mother Filomena Miranda, and his granddaughter Jessica Doran.

Rolando loved children and would delight in playing games with them until their smiles were revealed. He cherished his son, daughter and grandchildren, and supported them faithfully in their pursuits.

The Miranda family would welcome notes of remembrance sharing memories of Rolando. They may be sent to Brown Funeral Home, 29 Broad St., Plattsburgh, NY 12901. A celebration of Rolando’s life is being planned for the future.