At 6:12 a. m. Wednesday morning, Melvin James Rolfe, Jr., 39, was driving his usual route on his way to work at the Port of Manatee where he worked as a longshoreman.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Rolfe was driving south on U. S. Highway 41, he approached 34th Avenue South where a semi- tractor trailer was blocking three lanes waiting to turn onto U. S. 41.

Troopers said Rolfe applied brakes to avoid the tractor trailer, and swerved to avoid a collision. However, Rolfe’s vehicle struck the undercarriage of the trailer and became wedged underneath. Rolfe was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to Rolfe’s stepdaughter, Kizzie Peoples, Rolfe was a 1990 graduate of Hillsborough High School where he played football. He also was a member of the Belmont Heights Little League team.

After graduation, Rolfe worked for Rooms To Go, before signing on as a longshoreman at the Port of Manatee.

In 2003, Rolfe married Cynthia Rolfe, and he has one biological child, Jasmine Rolfe, a grandson, Zevontae Lee, 4 stepchildren, and 7 siblings.

In March 2011, Rolfe’s father, Minister Melvin J. Rolfe, Sr., passed after a battle with cancer, and his mother, Mrs. Rose Rolfe, was still grieving over that loss.

“It’s been tough for the family, because we were still trying to deal with the loss of Melvin’s father,” said Ms. Peoples. Rolfe loved sports, especially football, and was known to participate in football pools at work. He also enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his 3-week-old grandson.

Wilson’s Funeral Home is working with the family on final arrangements.

Anyone who wants to visit the family to express their condolences is asked to come by 2714 99th Avenue, or contact Kizzie Peoples at (813) 458-3593, or Nicole Flowers at (813) 230-3141.