3/27/2019
Timothy Selzin Nafziger was born July 20, 1983 at Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, England. He spent his early years in Jos, Nigeria, where he attended Hillcrest International School. He moved to Columbus, Ohio for high school and graduated from Upper Arlington High School in 2001. He attended Full Sail Music Academy in Orlando, Florida completing an Associate degree in Music Engineering in 2003.
Tim's true passion in life was music. He described himself as “An artist. Poet. Emcee. Dreamer." He spent hours writing his own lyrics, rapping, and recording his own tracks. He served as an Emcee for the bands Sly Fox Gentleman's Club, Ol' Scandalous and Selzin & K-co. He shared stages with legendary artists such as Brand Nubian, MC Lyte, Blueprint, Illogic, Canibus, and performed at venues ranging from Columbus, Ohio's historic Newport Music Hall to the Restoration Rocks Music festival in New York.
Tim was a joyful and upbeat person who had friends everywhere-all over the world. He truly loved life and taught those closest to him to live fully. He had a good, kind heart and cared deeply about social justice and humanity. He was fearless, once jumping onto a subway track to rescue a fallen passenger. He was sacrificial, a true defender of the weak. While non-traditional in his Christian faith, he maintained a deep belief in God and he was prayerful.
Tim had a varied career. He was a key campaigner for environmental justice with Green Peace, canvassing the streets of New York and becoming one of the top advocates nationwide. With his sister Saratu, Tim opened and operated Tin City, a vintage drug store and soda fountain. The store quickly became known as 'Tim City' where he offered advice and words of wisdom to people who came in for an ice cream float or a sandwich. He also worked as a painter and landscaper. His last job was as a chef at Brio Tuscan Grill in Danbury, Connecticut.
In 2017 Tim was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. He spent two years undergoing treatments, never losing his optimistic attitude. He died on March 27, 2019 in Branford, Connecticut.
Tim is survived by his dedicated mother and father, Dr. Jacob Calvin Nafziger and Ms. Naomi Nafziger; his three siblings: John Nafziger, Saratu Ghartey, and Rhoda Nafziger-Mayegun; 4 nephews and one niece.
Visitation will be Friday April 5th from 6 to 8 pm at Furman Funeral Home, 59 W. Main Street, Leola, PA 17540. The funeral service is at 10:30 am at Mellinger Mennonite Church, 1916 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster, PA 17602. He will be buried at Mellinger Mennonite Cemetery, Lancaster, PA.