South Dartmouth – Max Longstreet Stone, 21, died on Monday, May 3 after a valiant fight against Non Hodgkin’s B Cell Lymphoma. Max was born on July 23, 1999. He was diagnosed in September of 2020 and was a warrior on the journey to healing—every modern medical innovation, nutritional supplement, vitamin, healing meditation and prayer were a part of his treatment. If love and resilience could heal, he would be with us still. When his last treatment failed, Max took an Angel MedFlight from the National Institutes of Health to TF Green Airport. He was transported to Hope Hospice in Providence and was able to say goodbye to his wonderful extended family, his dogs Bodhi and Nona, and many of his dearest friends. He took care of all of us like we cared for him until the very end, completing each visit with a squeeze and an “I love you.”
Max graduated from Dartmouth High School in 2018. He enthusiastically played football for two years and lacrosse all four years (3 years on varsity). He completed a year at UMass Amherst and forged a deep brotherhood with his AEPi fraternity. Aptly given the pledge name “Hodor” – for all of you Game of Thrones fans – at 6’ 2”, Max was the ever gentle, yet fiercely loyal and protective giant. As is required of all Stone boys, Max began skiing at the age of two and was a double black diamond accomplished skier who received his Level 1 Alpine Instructor certification in 2020. In the fall of 2019, he took a year off from UMass to be a ski instructor, teaching children, in Park City, Utah and returned when the COVID pandemic hit.
Max has always exhibited a level of extreme kindness toward children. Throughout his life, Max mentored children at Sunday School, in New Orleans on youth group mission trips, at Incarnation Camp and on the ski slopes in Utah. Some people have that gentleness about themselves and children know it. They see it. Max stopped to put on mittens for a friend. He waited at intersections on the ski slope for little ones to catch up. He read bedtime stories to his cousins.
In addition to his parents Lara & Jeff, Max is survived by his younger brothers Nate (19) and Sam (17), and a tribe of loving grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and loyal friends. Countless stories have been shared that involve Max being the life of any party. He loved good food, cooking in a full kitchen, and he was always up for an adventure. He drove too fast and took too many chances on and off the ski slopes. He loved deeply, lived boldly and he was ever loyal. Max is the guy you wanted to walk you home. He was the friend you would call if you were scared, or if you needed a ride late at night. Friends say that Max taught them about love and laughter. He ended every conversation with, “I love you.” He was a fierce guardian, and his true north was compassion.
Our family would like to thank Dr. Ore Odejide (Dr. O), and the entire Lymphoma team at Dana Farber and Brigham & Women’s Hospital, that cared for him in Boston. We are also grateful to Dr. Christopher Melani, Dr. Killian Salerno and Dr. Joe O’Neill, and the entire team of nurses and doctors at the National Institutes of Health, in Bethesda, MD for the care he received there. And finally, our thanks go to Dr. Ilana Feinerman and Dr. Edress Othman at Southcoast Hospitals for their support at the very beginning, and throughout Max’s journey.
Max Stone was loved in life, and in death. His legacy, and all of who he was as a person, will live on. Many of his closest friends have told us that to meet Max was to have your life changed forever.
A Memorial Service celebrating his life is planned for May 29, 2021 at 3 PM at the Congregational Church of South Dartmouth (17 Middle Street, South Dartmouth). Arrangements by the Wilson Chapel www.wilsonchapel.net
A memorial camper scholarship will be established in Max’s name at Incarnation Camp. Gifts may be sent care of Executive Director Nancy Pilon and sent to Incarnation Camp & Conference Center, Box 577, Ivoryton, CT 06442. 860-767-0848 or [email protected]. Venmo is also accepted: @incarnation-center.