From Daisy

I first met Max at the beginning of Uni, when a big group of us used to go on debauched nights out in Newcastle. In the first semester of first year we all became obsessed with LoveDough, this cheesy hip hop night. We would go every Thursday and I remember Max bopping away to that Common tune, The Light, which reminds me of that time and him so much. The next day we would all re-hash the night and inevitably there would be stories which always had Max at the centre. He was the kind of person that everyone talked about, and always in good terms. I can't remember ever hearing someone say a bad word about him, probably because he was the kind of genuinely wicked person that is rare to find and that you hope you'll know all your life. The last time I saw him properly was at Lucy Spreckley's 21st at the end of the summer. We sat on the sofa in her living room chatting for a while, having a slightly drunken heart to heart. And weirdly I often felt like I was having a heart to heart when I spoke to him, because there was no bullshit, and he listened.

I believed that I'd get to know him so much better over time, and that I'd have so many more experiences with him in the future, and I am so sad that I wont.

Daisy Greenwell

'Max of the Day'

While I first met Max through my younger brother Zac, it was on the football field that I really got to know him. My friends and I regularly played against him and his crew, or the 'Understudies' as we referred to them. The matches between both teams were always highly competitive. I think being 5 years older, we always felt we had a point to prove, unwilling to give up our position as the dominant power in Queens Park. Max and his friends were always very keen to prove they were now the real force to be reckoned with and were always fiercely up for the challenge. That's why we all really loved playing against them, because of the significance of what it meant to win and lose and the bragging rights it provided in the pub after the game.

I know that Max particularly loved playing in these games, I saw it the joy he took when making a fool out of me or one of my teammates with a new trick and the pleasure on his face when he scored a goal against us. Despite his easy going attitude off the field he was a fiercely competitive player who relished making tackles and winning headers. He was of course a player of exceptional skills and grace and his genius lay in his ability to go round players and score goals of a very high quality. Although my friends and I would never it admit openly to him, we all knew and he was a player of a different class.

I remember playing against Max and thinking how vastly different we were in ability and skill. Max was a naturally gifted footballer and had the ability to do most things on the pitch. I, on the other hand am the complete opposite, I play a containing game based on working hard to restrict players like Max from expressing themselves, I was always the artisan, he the artist. Both he and I were very much aware in this difference and I think that's why we loved playing against each other, we were polar opposites and it meant a whole lot to us both to come out as the victor in this battle between two very different styles of play. Not surprisingly, he ran rings around me most of the time and I recorded personal victories against him on few occasions. I will cherish long and hard the memories of actually managing to tackle the guy, it meant a lot to actually win the ball off a player like him. To make a good tackle on a player as good as Max meant that you were playing at the top of your game and you remember things like that.

Now he has departed, it seems only fair to document that his team were always more superior to ours in skill and flair. This is obvious to most of the guys that I play with, even on the occasions that we actually came out winners. I know Max would have loved to hear me admit this. I also know he will dearly miss not being able to record another victory against us. We have yet to arrange a game in his honour, but whenever it is, I'm sure he will be watching somewhere with great interest. At least now, instead of having to play against someone like me, he can continue to hone his skills with players of similar caliber and class, like George Best and Bobby Moore for instance.

'Max of the Day' you were dearly respected by myself and all my teammates and you will be sorely missed.

Josh Mendelsohn

Something From The Older Lot

First and foremost all of us will miss Max greatly, as a person he always wore a smile and was always ready with a quick witted comment to counter any quip that I may have come up with on seeing him after a period of absence. The reason for this light hearted exchange between two Hampstead School old boys would usually be due to the fact we were about to go into battle together. Battle you say? What does he mean 'battle'?. Let me explain, football games between, us: 'The Older Lot' and them: 'The Younger Lot' were hard fought duels to the proverbial death that for the casual observer must of seemed much like a battle. Whether in the heat and dust of summer in Queens Park, wet Springs in Westway or harsh Winters in the Kilburn Grange.

Max and his loyal lieutenants Dash, louis, Isaac and Owen, would often lead us a merry dance with their superior technical ability... and just for the fact they had far more energy than us old men. In moments of extreme frustration on the pitch (and the fact we were probably two goals down!) I would often say to my team mates: "Jesus the ball just sticks to his feet' a comment that was universally agreed apon by anyone who knew Max and knew anything about football. It was from these observations during the heat of 'battle' that the nickname we all used for him was born.

'Maxoftheday' was the name we chose in homage to a wonderful footballer. A mark of respect and fondness for an all round great guy.

I wont recieve the much anticipated phones calls from Max to arrange these games that always marked the end of Autumn, Spring or Summer term for him, but I do know we will try to keep up this great tradition he loved in memory of our friend.

Sayed

And in their absence - Phill, Mike, Rads, Macca, Jamie, Josh Talmud, Josh Mendelsohn aka 'The Older Lot'

A letter from Australia

I received this email from Jo in Australia, with the attached photos. Max's eyes are half closed in one, and mine are half closed in the other, but nevermind!

(Jo is Antonia's mother. Antonia and I grew up together on Harvist Road until her family moved to Australia when we were 9 or 10 years old. Antonia has come back to visit a few times, and got to know Max and the boys. Once I really upset her and Max became her confidante. It was only after she'd left that he told me she'd been upset. I felt ashamed by my behaviour, but i'm glad that she could talk to Max.)


Dear Rosie

We were saddened to hear of the Max's death. By now you may be starting to pick your self up again and face the world without being so close to tears. You have lost a good friend and former lover. It is so unfair when young people die and such a shock when it's so sudden. Children should never die before their parents!!

A lot will have been said and even more felt. For you and his close friends, the world has tilted and everything in it has shifted a little. The future will never be quite the same as it would have been if Max were still a part of it. You will each cope in different ways.

No one ever dies completely while there is someone left to remember them; they don't grow old either.

My brief impression of Max was that he was a 'golden boy' in every sense and that is how you may all remember him, always the 'golden boy'.

Our thoughts and love are with you.

I am attaching two photographs I took in August 2001 to take back to Anty. Hope you can add them to your Max collection.

Lots of love

Jo

Max's funeral

Max's funeral will take place on Saturday 25 March. It will start at 11.00 a.m. with a funeral procession around Queen's Park. The service at the West London Crematorium will follow at 12.00. Finally there will be a gathering at Astons from about 1.00 p.m.



The hearse will arrive at Max's house, 93 Chevening Road, at 11.00 and will progress around Queen's Park, with mourners following behind on foot. It will arrive back at Max's house again at about 11.30. Parking nearby should be fairly easy - resident and meter parking controls don't apply on Saturday.

The hearse will then make its way to the crematorium, and may be followed by mourners in their cars. The crematorium is about 20 minutes walk from Max's house.

The funeral service will be held at 12.00 noon at the West London Crematorium in Harrow Road, Kensal Green (entrance 200 metres west of Kensal Green station). There is a car park in the crematorium grounds.

After the service there will be a gathering at Astons in Regent Street, just north of the junction of Harrow Road and Ladbroke Grove, starting from about 1.00 p.m. Astons is about 15 minutes walk from the crematorium.

Parking around Astons can be difficult. If coming from the crematorium, try turning up Wellington Road, the left turn 100 metres before the Harrow Road/Ladbroke Grove traffic lights, and parking up there somewhere - on Saturday meter and resident controls don't apply.

Don't wear black, unless you want to. The family will not be wearing black.

Flowers can be brought to the crematorium or sent, preferably by Friday afternoon, to:
Co-Op Funeralcare
451 Harrow Rd
London
W10 4RG

In almost every year of his time at Hampstead School Max went on the School Ski Trip, which he loved and which was a helpful and informative experience, as well as being great fun. Any donations will be used to support children who would not otherwise be able to have this experience.

Please make any cheques payable to 'Hampstead School', write 'Max O'Connell Fund' on the back, and send them to Co-op Funeralcare at the address above.

Seamus

He always made me smile

My first memory of Max is from Freshers' Week; asking me and Remi to teach him how to dance. I always thought that I'd met him before this point. Maybe I hadn't. Maybe it was just the magic of Max. Even though you'd just met him, you always had a feeling that you'd known him forever.

We did try to teach him a few new moves, but he'd always resort back to that elbow dance of his. So simple. So loveable. I remember how he'd always have a smile on his face dancing. Even when I'd laugh at him. Even when I'd have a go at him for bumping hips with me. Even when he'd try to pick me up, and I'd scream at him that I was too heavy. Even when I wouldn't want him near me because he was so sweaty from dancing so much. He'd always be smiling. And through it all, I'd be smiling too. I was always smiling when I was around Max.

It's such a strange feeling, knowing that I'll never see that dance again, or that grin again, or listen to him talk about some new girl he'd met.

I've been trying to think of my favourite memory of Max. There are so many. I'll always remember him talking about Rosy. About how The Coral song: Dreaming of You, was such an apt description of how he was feeling. Every time I hear that song, I think of him and smile. Every time I see a picture of Justin Timberlake I think of him saying 'Some people say I look like Justin Timberlake'. About how we all laughed. About how we all loved him for making us laugh. Every time I look at my keys, I'll think of him. I'll think of him buying a souvenir for Remi from New York in first year, and being touched that be bought one for me too because he didn't want me to feel left out. I love that key ring. A mini New York yellow cab. I think he'd be pleased to know that I still use it.

I look back at our friendship, and I wish that ' had more serious conversations with him. I wish I'd taken advantage of the few times he'd show his soft side. I wish I hadn't spent so much time rolling my eyes at him. I wish I'd realised that everything he did (whether I approved or not), he did because he was living life to the full. I wish I'd joined in with him more. I can't believe the opportunity to live life with him has been taken away from me. Taken away from us all.

He always thought I didn't take him seriously, but I did. I wish I'd told him how much he meant, and still means, to me. This is such a horrible thing to have happened. It makes living scary, knowing that our mate Max isn't going to be in our world anymore.

All my love,
D

Daisy and Max: Taken summer 2004. Jo's Birthday at World Head Quarters



Johnny, Max and Marcus: Taken in December 2002. Our first ever Arcane



Amy and Max: Taken October 2003, Max's Birthday party. The first of the legendary 25 Devonshire parties.



Eddie, Jo, Ella and Max: Taken June 2004. Groove Armada Love box festival.

The Ultimate Legend

I'm Graham Rishton. Like Mike, I had the absolute privilege of playing in the same team as Max up in Newcastle.

It's really difficult for me to know what to write, im already on my 5th draft. Nothing that i manage to write really seems to do justice to Max. This is a guy who gave me, and obviously so many others, so so much. To be honest I'm not really sure where to start. A guy who picked me out of trials and gave me the opportunity to play in such a great team. A guy who was a major factor in helping me to settle in at uni. A guy who always listened to everything I had to say. A guy i always met up with first before every football night out. A guy who made any night out worth going out for. Max was, quite simply, an absolute legend.

I think the moment I was told he had gone will stay with me for quite some time. A terrible numbness.I hope though, that my memories of the guy will stay with me for a lot longer. I remember him inspiring us to victory when we desperately needed someone to inspire us. I remember his shout of "yes Graham" after i'd pulled off a rare bit of skill. I remember the way everybody totally looked up to him.

I was really looking forward to us having him back at Newcastle next year. I looked forward to being on the same pitch as him again. Most of all I looked forward to many more nights out with him and having a mate back that i could really talk to.

His death is a truly tragic loss, I really still dont think I've done him any justice at all in this account. My condolences go out completely to his family and friends from home. He will be truly missed.

Rest in peace Max, Lord knows you deserve it, yours Graham.

Max

My name is Renne I know Max and the boys from nursery then throughout secondary school (but missing out primary school). I have memories of him mostly from Hampstead, and I do believe I fancied the pants off him for about 2 of those years!! As did most of the girls not only in my year but in the years above and below!

I remember one valentines day when I think we were in year 11 and he brought in loads of roses for the girls, I was quite disappointed when I didn't get one!

After we left school I am quite regretful to say that we didn't see each other much, and I so would have loved to have known this charming forever friendly young man that he had become. But I do have many many good and hilarious memories of him both in and out of school. Mostly in the park or the irish, most of the times I was in the park he was there and actually most of the times I was in the irish he was there too!!

As a parent I can not even begin to imagine how Victoria and Seamus are feeling or as a sister how Rachel is feeling.

I know that some people find it comforting to think that it must have been his time, but for me and a lot of others I think, it is impossible to believe that someone who had so much life in them, had so little time on this earth. it just doesn't seem right.

Renne xxx

Max - What are you like?

You are like a good dream
The kind I don't want to wake up from
And now I'm awake the real world has lost some of its colour.

You are like my favourite chocolate bar
I crave you so much, even after the final segment is past my tongue
I want to savour your taste for an eternity.

You are like an old familiar song I hear on the radio
When it comes on I dance with joy
But I never know when I'll hear it again.
(Not this lifetime, but maybe the next.)

You are like a holiday
One that lasts for ages
But now the holiday's over.

Like reading an enthralling novel
But never wanting to get to the last page.

Your life was like an English Summer. I wish it had been longer.

One of a kind!!!

I met Max my 1st week of uni. I don't even remember how, I just know that all of a sudden there was this guy, with cute angelic blond curls and a mischievous smile who make me laugh constantly. As time went on, he became one of my good mates at uni, who I could laugh and joke with, go raving with, or just generally sit back and chill with. I think our friendship was first established when we both admitted at being crap with credit on our pay as u go phones-though he later changed to contract leaving me with no excuse! Even as I'm writing, I still can't believe I'll never hear his, 'Yes Rem' or 'Rrrremster' call outs from across the street.

Max was such a thoughtful, sweet, genuine guy, who made you feel, if you ever needed to, you could talk to him and he somehow knew when you needed cheering up, or just listened to. It always surprised me that confident, laid back Maxamillion was also pretty sensitive and much softer than you were often lead to believe. He probably opened up to me less than he did to others, but when he did, it always made me feel like he trusted me as much as I trusted him. There was something about Max, whether it be his warmth, his charm-which we all know and love-his kindness, or just his great outlook on life that it was impossible not to completely adore him immediately. I have friends who met him only once who still ask me how he is, because they remembered how he was such a friendly guy.

I have so many memories of Max from uni, which now sometimes make me laugh or cry. Like how he used to manage to persuade everyone to come up to his room on the 8th floor and the mad rush of everyone leaving to make the lifts at 12. Or how if we planned it just right, me and D would get him to share his takeaway!

One of my favourite memories is everyone in his room in 1st yr and his attempts to teach me the 'off-side rule' and how annoyed he was when I had forgotten it the following day! Or the defaced Thierry Henry poster he gave me as a 'gift'. I can still remember, on more than one occasion, us all walking back home after a night out, with me and him, singing old skool garage tunes, thinking we were so funny! Carnival weekend won't be the same without you.

Max and me

I probably spent less time with Max in 2nd and 3rd yr as he didn't live as close, but I suppose it was because I always thought he'd be around, grinning, laughing and hugging me, like he always did. I'm just glad that through all my teasing and joking, I told him how much his friendship meant and how glad I was that we had met at uni.

I feel so much for his family and friends who have known him for such a long time, because I only knew him for just over 3yrs and it feels like forever.

I know now, that when we all meet up it won't ever be the same because you'll always be missing...

Maxy ur one of a kind.

Luv u Rems XxX

This was taken around the time I first met Max. I remember ages later, he saw the picture on my wall, cracked up and asked if he could borrow my negatives. Sometimes in 3rd, i saw he had put this photo up on his wall, so he obviously liked it-figured I should put it up here too. Rems

Max

I feel so lucky to have got to know Max just a little bit... and so sad that I won't get to know him as well as I would have liked, but nevertheless remember him for his warm-hearted nature and chilled-out manner, as well as never wiping the smile of his face :o) He lived with a very close friend of mine, Jo, and I can safely say from all the things she has told me over the last few years, that he was the most amazing friend anyone could ask for - encouraging, caring, understanding and fun.

 

My memories of Max are from drunken nights out on visits to Newcastle and of him n Eddie (the tag team) at the Stella tennis tournament last year. But above and beyond these comes Notting Hill Carnival 2004. Me and Jo went to meet Max towards the end of the day, where we went to a lock-in at a pub he used to work in. He was buzzing around, chatting to everyone and at the end of the night we went back to stay over at his, where his mum and dad were still up re-decorating the downstairs toilet!?! Anyway the following morning Max woke up, got into his dressing gown and slippers looking like a complete nerd (hehe)... and proceeded to go on in his hyper-active way (whilst cooking a big fry-up) about how he was the "King of Carnival". It was so, so funny and he was in his element on that hot summer's morning.

 

I know that Max will be sorely missed by the massive number of people that were touched by him during his life. His laid-back and fun-loving character is an inspiration to us all. I am truly saddened and send my warmest wishes to his family and close friends... And Max, August bank holiday won't be the same without the King of Carnival.

 

Lydia xxx

Max

I was so gutted to hear the news about Max; it's incomprehensible, not least because he was one of the most lively, vibrant people I have ever been fortunate enough to know. I could never have imagined that this could happen and am devastated that he will not have the chance to do all the wonderful things he could have done given longer on this Earth.

I know I'm not supposed to have favourites in this job but, as everyone who knew him will vouch for, Max stood out from the crowd. His emails always made me smile - usually full of excuses for not doing this or that, but always with a humorous charm that made it impossible to get angry with him. He talked fanatically about football and Spanish culture and joked about his ongoing quest to find a Spanish girlfriend to help improve his language skills!

Max should have been in Costa Rica the night he died. He had originally planned go there for the second half of his Year Abroad, but all the 'if only's in the world won't bring him back. I was (selfishly) glad when he told me he would be extending his stay in Cadiz for the whole year because it meant that he'd be there to show me around when I went out to visit next month. He was clearly having the time of his life there and I was so looking forward to hearing all about what he'd been up to, seeing that smile again and the way his eyes lit up wih enthusiasm when he talked. My visit to Cadiz certainly won't be the same without Max.

I can't even begin to imagine what his close friends and family must be going through at the moment; my thoughts are with you all. Max was a truly amazing guy and will be missed greatly, even by those of us whose lives I'm sure he didn't realise he touched so deeply.

Lucy

Year Abroad Secretary
School of Modern Languages
Newcastle University

Maximus

My name is Michael Beacham. I got to know Max last year as we played for the same football team at Newcastle Uni. I dont think it can be said enough how much of a great person he was. He was one of the most genuine, kind-hearted and interesting people i've ever met and it was a pleasure to be in his company. As a first year and being knew to the Uni life it took a while to settle in and get my bearings but i remember waiting for the bus to go the the first training session and Max being at the bus stop aswell. I didnt say anything because i didnt think he would even remember me from the trials and then i suddenly hear 'yes Mike'. He came straight over and we talked for about 20 minutes without a break in conversation. It was so easy to feel comfortable with him and i was always struck by how much he actually listened and was interested in what you had to say.

Since then i got on really well with Max and i always admired him for being so effortlessley cool, yet such a warm and caring person. He was an incredible footballer and at times was like a one man team. He rightly won player of the year for us last year and everyone in the team looked up to him. I have many great memories of nights out and football games with Max and im so sorry i wont be able to add to them.

He had always said he would be back in Newcastle next year after his year abroad and i was really looking forward to seeing him again. Im devastated by the news and my condolences go to his friends and family. He was unique, charming and an inspiration to me. I just feel privileged to have known him at all.

Henderson Hall Football Team 2004/2005

Cup Winners!

Max O my days he just nutmeg you Connell

My names Jermaine Ocloo and I knew Max from the local Queens park area where he live just up the road road from me just like Ben (Thompson) I didn’t know him as well as I would have liked but nerveless I consider him a friend. Reading some of the comments about his good nature, always smiling and his slow rangy body movements are so true mann but you couldn’t let that fooled you cause the guy was supuisely quick, he was the best and most natural football player I’ve ever seen and watching some of things he could do would leave you standing there completely Baffled n dazed!

Me and Ben have this kinda in joke between our self’s were by we replied to a normal question like “who’s playing football tonight!?”, or “who’s going to be at a house party that night?” with the silly answer like “Max will be there, Dash, Ize, Josh, Tax, Bash, MASH” (Trust me it gets proper funny after a million times) but what’s really funny is the fact that Max’s name would/will always come first in the joked, I guess we see him as the main one.

Max is a special guy I just wanted everyone to know that, my heart with his family (Rachel) and good friends (Ize, Dash, Lou, Owen) he will be so very much missed!

Peace

J

From Newcastle Year Abroad students

These messages were posted on the Newcastle University Modern Languages School BlackBoard Community by the Year Abroad students.

-------------oOo-------------

For Max:

I am writing with regards to the tragic and totally devastating news of Max's death. Things like these are so hard to understand and instead of feeling depressed and angry (which I'm sure we all are) I would like to take this opportunity for us to come together and celebrate what we remember of Max and how great he was.

I would have considered myself quite a good friend and find this news particularly hard to deal with knowing what kind of person Max was. We are all on our year abroad primarily to improve our language skills but also to make the most of the opportunity we have to live in a different country and embrace its culture. This makes things really tough as Max was without a doubt the type of person who the year abroad was made for and totally suited to. I will always remember him for his bubbly, witty personality and his outgoing nature (not to mention his ability to the life and soul of manys a party!) but also his caring side as a mate when you just wanted a chat. He will always remain one of the coolest people I have met and thats how I'll remember him.

I think it would be really great of anybody who knew him (even remotely) would post whatever memories or thoughts they have about him on the website.

All my thoughts and prayers go to his loved ones,

thanks,

Laura Taggart.

-------------oOo-------------

I didn´t know Max all that well, but he was in my Spanish language class last year, and I had just recently joined him in Cadiz for this semester.

I had heard of someone´s death during the Carnaval celebrations on Saturday night but didn´t find out till Monday that it was Max. I was very shocked as I had seen him a few times and was speaking to him at Uni and then on a night out just a few days before. Although I don´t know him very well, I totally agree with Laura´s posting, he was indeed very friendly and outgoing and from what I had seen and heard was very popular here with both fellow Erasmus and local students. He will be greatly missed by everyone that knows him.

Halinka (Hedja-Morrison)

-------------oOo-------------

I'm so shocked at the horrible news of Max's death. He was a lovely bloke who I had the pleasure of sitting with in a lot of lectures during my first two years at uni. He was a guy that I looked up to a lot when I arrived at Newcastle as he passed on his experiences of his first year before he changed course. He seemed almost impossibly laid-back and easy-going and when you spoke with him you knew you were either in for a really good laugh or an interesting conversation. Most importantly for me he was always a bloke who really listened to you when you were talking and was always completely genuine when he responded, which is an amazingly rare quality but obviously came to him very naturally.

It makes me very sad to think we won't be able to share our experiences of our years abroad with Max because no doubt he would have had some great stories to tell.

My thoughts are with his family and with everyone else who's been effected by the horrible news.

Tim (Wynn-Jones)

-------------oOo-------------

I feel so lucky to have got to know Max a little over the past two years, and though I didn't see him often enough, I know that I will miss him making me laugh, and I will miss the way he always spoke and listened as if you were genuinely the most interesting person around.

Max was such a beautiful person - he was lovely, kind, funny and caring, and he was one of those blessed people who was able to convey this the moment you met him. I am sure everyone who met him will only have good to say of him, and that those memories, which make it so painful now, are the ones that will outlast everything.

Max was so full of life and sparkling with laughter that it makes it even more poignant and absurd that the only way I can begin to approach his death is by somehow accepting that this is what has been cut short. The horrible randomness and shock of the moment is so much worse knowing that everything anyone could possibly say is futile, and I know that nothing I can say will be big enough to express the person Max was, and how big his loss will be to everyone who loved him.

My thoughts are with all those who were lucky enough to have know him even better and longer, and most especially with his family, who will be in my prayers.

Monica (Mark)

-------------oOo-------------

I am so shocked about this absolutly tragic news.

I knew Max through Film studies and Spanish, and just like everyone has said, he really did stand out. An incredible energy, warmth, intelligence and friendliness sparked off him and everyone who had the chance to know him and share his brightness will always remember him this way.

My deepest sincerest sympathies and thoughts are with his family.

Olivia (Vesey)

-------------oOo-------------

I got to know Max through film studies and he is honestly one of the friendliest people ive ever met. I remember discussing our year abroad and how we were looking forward to it. This is a terrible tragedy but Max always lived life to the full and I am sure, as he said he would, he enjoyed his time abroad.

Max will be greatly missed and my thoughts are with his family and close friends.

Cat (Mathers)

-------------oOo-------------

I did not know Max very well but I did know him enough to realise what a geniunely lovely person he was. He was in my Spanish class last year and he was such a friendly guy, I used to see him regularly around uni and he would always stop for a chat. What has happened to him is such an awful tragedy and my heart goes out to all his loved ones at this time.

Max will be dearly missed by so many people but he will always be remembered for his energetic and lovely personality. He was an amazing guy and he will never be forgotten.

My thoughts are with all his loved ones and with everyone who has been affected by Max´s death.

Stephanie Gannon

-------------oOo-------------

I was also in Spanish seminar with Max and I'm sure everyone who was in it would agree that he somehow managed to relax the group and give it a good atmosphere just by being there. He was confident with himself, and wouldn't hesitate to come out with witty and original comments which used to make everybody laugh, including the lecturer. He had a really clever sense of humour and seemed to be able to instantly put people at ease. Max was evidently someone who would talk to anyone, and they'd want to get to know him better. He was always smiling and would have obviously been having a brilliant time abroad, which makes this terrible sudden accident all the more confusing to accept.

My sincerest condolences to Max's family and close friends for their unthinkable loss, Max will be sorely missed by everyone but the fond memories that people have of him will live on.

Ellie Watson

-------------oOo-------------

Although all of us from Newcastle had only really just arrived here in Cadiz for the second semester & not had the chance to get to know Max as well as we would've liked, we've all been extremely shocked & saddened by his death. Max was obviously very popular here in Cadiz and it seemed everyone knew him and he will certainly be greatly missed. We thought people might like to know a memorial service is being held tomorrow at the university here, which we will all be attending. Flowers have been left at the place Max died and we have laid some on behalf of all of his friends from Newcastle.

All our prayers are with Max's family & friends,

Gemma (Sale), Helen (Turner), Jenny (Williams), Faye (Shaw) & Caroline (Burgess)

From Steph in Cadiz

Dear Maximus,

It was Friday 30th September 2005 when we first met. The Botellon, at Plaza San Fran. I was with you for your first Botellon, and just as well because my Spanish was appalling back then. As always, you did all the talking…leaving Rob, Gary, Cheryl and I just standing back in amazement. I was also with you at your last Botellon. Again we visited Plaza San Fran, and did the usual totty spotting in O’Connell's (the Irish bar you introduced us to us all on your birthday in early October).

Within that short space of time (just under 5 months) you and I became extremely good friends. At times I wondered how I could depend on someone so much. Whether it was for a few social drinks, making friends, organising parties or just chilling out in general… you know you were “el hombre, innit?”

On the night of the accident, the weather was awful, our clothes were wet and our group got separated. But you were persistent in making sure we all we having a good time. I can remember being cold, being in one of my “moods” and being soaking wet, but then you waited for me to catch up with the others and with your big cheeky smile saying “Steph mate, you in a mood?” Like in most situations, you could read me so well. I didn’t even have to say anything, you just knew what I was thinking half the time. I often say to Jo and Cheryl, “what are we going to do without him?” I can’t picture Spain without you. I can’t put in words just how much I’m missing you already. You always stuck up for me, didn’t tease me (too much) about my dizzy blonde moments (e.g. So Max… Where exactly is Russia?), you were probably the only person who could make me compromise, you discovered O’Connell’s (and thus my quest for Fran) and most importantly you had time for me. Despite being the man about town, your door was always opened and your smile so welcoming. For that alone, I just wanna say thanks.

About 20 minutes after you comforting me for being cold, tired and moody, the next thing I said to you was “MAX!” “MAX!” I was screaming at you to make some form of movement. All I could see was your body in the water. Max mate, believe me when I say we all did our best that night. Every single one of us there looked over the wall and contemplated jumping in after you, but the drop was too high and the water too shallow. Honest to God, we were so helpless. I’m so sorry that I could do nothing. So, so sorry!

If I’m honest with myself, the last images of you will haunt me for a while, but your personality and charm will stay with me forever. Trust me little Maximus, you do not realise how much your short presence in Cadiz will have a lasting impression on everyone.

The tears come and go, but your memory is with the crew always. You were one in a million and a friend to everyone. My remaining time in Cadiz, our plans to work here in the summer, the uni “tour” for next year, Newcastle university, and the future isn’t gonna be the same. We often joked that I was gonna have 11 kids with Thierry Henry (you knew I was a broody girl) and that they’d be all boys (obviously…11 boys make up a football team) and that every Saturday they’d go see uncle Max for training. It’s how you’d planned to make your fortune!!!! It’s memories like this that hurt so much.

You were liked by all, and LOVED by the crew. Mr popular, Mr bilingual, Mr generous, Mr “carinoso”… Mr Max O’Connell you are missed so much! Un beso!

Loadsa love and hugs ALWAYS, Steph…(the whitest black girl you EVER knew!!!)

Max O'Connell

Max was a lively contributor to my classes on Hispanic culture. He will be sadly missed by his teachers and classmates here at Newcastle University.

Dr Vanessa Knights
School of Modern Languages
University of Newcastle upon Tyne

Max and Me

My name is Owen. I am one of the five, along with Ize, Dash, Louis and of course Max. The Magnum Force Five. However, the number four has never sounded so far away from five. I've seen a picture of my mum pregnant with me holding a three month old baby Max. That is how long I have known him, and that was what he would boast about if we met new people "Ive known Owen's mum longer than he has". I miss my best friend. I want to laugh at his rubbish jokes, and for him to laugh at mine. I want to be a five again. I feel extremely lucky to have been so close to a character as big and as well loved as Max. I feel honoured to be part of the five that he held so close to his heart. He wasn't just a crazy, party animal,wild child. He was loving and fragile and openly vulnerable. His care of what people thought of him faded as we grew older. He used to insult me with long words that I didn't understand. He quit the Cricket team with me because the posh kids weren't very nice to me, even though he was the opening batsman and had trials for Middlesex county and London shcools. I once climbed a waterfall in laos with him in search of a mythical jump, using hand signals we tried to get as much information about it's location out of the locals as possible, we climbed for about half an hour passing many jumps and pools that matched the vauge description. We finally decided on the next one we came across. We were totaly alone, no one to clarify if this was "the jump". We were both shitting it and he was trying to make me go first, and vice versa. He made me go first. When I came to the surface I told him it was safe and he jumped straight away. Now because of Max I am no longer scared of dying, he has done it first so I have nothing to be worried about. He was a gift, one we all shared. I can't find the words to express my self, I think only love and music reach where i'm trying to get.
Owen(obi one)Cutts

Max at Emily Young's studio

Max came to help out here at the studio, along with Louis, Isaac, Dash and Owen (Louis is my nephew.)

He is remembered here in the studio as being ‘cool’, as in, ‘yeah, he was cool’, by the younger people, and by the older as being beautiful, attractive, delightful.

I wish him well on his journey back into the infinite. I wish his family and friends love.

Emily Young, and all of us at the Emily Young Sculpture Studio.

The Raver-Saviour

This is one of the best photos of Max that i have ever seen. Me and the boys love it. It was taken at a full moon party we were all at in Thailand in April 2002. When we all got there Max was in a red shirt. A bit later, as standard, he disappeared for a bit. When we all met up again he was wearing this shirt. He said that he had hidden his other shirt because he had gotten it too sweaty to wear, but now couldn't find it. At the end of the night he found it again but this one was much better so he kept it.

Max always disappeared during nights out. Not that we would lose him or anything but he would always just sort of not be there for a while, then, when everyone would ask "where's Max?", he would turn up with a new friend, tell us their life story and explain how safe they were. After a while Owen called Max the 'No-Where Man', after the Beatles song. You knew he was always there but he was always missing as well....he was there but nowhere.

Also, as anyone who has ever been raving with Max or played footie with him would know, he could sweat for England. And he would never stop short to remind you. No real reason for it, he just did, and i always remember that.

Finally i just think this picture encapsulates so many things about old Maxieboy. The look on his face of pure energy and determinedness during a night out, the arm raised with those distinctive fingers ready to give you a hug or kiss or dance to the tune. The randomness of the shirt which, i'm sorry, is super-cool, bright, vibrant, individual, and of course sweat soaked. And just the way he is almost coming out of the dark, the modern day raver-saviour, coming to rescue your average punter from their daily boredom by crossing their path and enlightening them on some random topic.

Max's Advice

Two years ago Max wrote me a letter. Among other things, he could tell I was feeling down. I thought I'd share some of his wise words with you now;

...So please keep one eye on the bright side of life as relatively, shit is hitting the fan a lot harder and faster for a lot of people round the globe and we could definitely be worse off (I need reminding of that just as much as anyone else!!) If you ever want to talk about anything or you just want a hug and a kiss I will always be there no matter what...I will not forget you and I will never give up hope.

Max at Christmas

This is a picture of Max opening presents at Christmas, which is when we'd see him most regularly. Our families would get together almost every year on Christmas or Boxing day. When he was a kid he'd be full of energy, but quiet compared to Rachel, and he'd sit on or hang on his Mum. In his teens he became more laid back and much more easygoing, and concentrated on making remarks attempting to shock his Mum instead.... He was interested in films and football from way back, so when he was about 14 I got him "The Goalkeepers' Fear of the Penalty" by Wim Wenders for a present - he was boggled, but kind of pleased as well, I think. We'd always be interested to hear about his film studies later, such as his detailed study of the implications for American society in "Die Hard", which I certainly hadn't taken out of it when I saw it!

More recently when we got together we'd hear about his adventures in the world of catering. It's funny to think of him done up in formal black and white waiter gear for some of the posh events, in contrast to his usual jeans and t-shirt. It was nice to see him coming out of his teens and having lots to say for himself on topics ranging from food to famine to feminism. It's just such a shame we won't get to hear more from him at future Christmases, but we'll think of him, I know.

Alison (Max's cousin) and Sam

Max

Two years ago Seamus had a birthday meal at the Paradise by Way of Kensal Green and invited my wife Deborah and myself to dine with the family. Max sat across the table from me. I'd known him since he was in nappies. I saw him grow up into a rowdy buzzbomb six year old, a ravenous early teen, a slouching sixth former. At the Paradise I was struck by how charming he'd become. He'd probably always had this charisma but it had usually been eclipsed by the fridge door which so frequently blocked him from view within moments of his entering the O'Connell kitchen. Max had an extraordinary physicality. He was fluid, languid, laidback, incisive, vague, radiant and jolly and all these were signalled through his body. If he never sat up straight it was because he was somehow never still and because he was never still his back, I imagine, stayed in constant elastic tone. Back in the sixties, when Seamus and I were beatniks, people would pay good money for serpentine posture like that. It was considered to epitomise cool. You could spot people trying too hard a mile off.

I counted one hundred and sixty six people at the football match last Sunday. There were four teams, including one comprising Max's mates from Newcastle, plus countless frozen friends, some weeping, some cheering, some shaking their heads. The guys hurtled around the pitch and then, from time to time, in small knots, came to embrace Seamus, Victoria and Rachel. They were gentlemanly butunabashed. In the course of the afternoon it became clear that Max had been the bright centre of communities ranged across at least three cities. Seamus said that the assembled crowd was probably only a fraction of the people whose lives had been touched by his affable son.

Sometimes Max seemed out of it and sometimes he seemed wise, as if amiably chiding us for being overly attentive to aspects of the world that really didn't deserve it.

There's no idea that can hold Max's death, no philosophical position that will explain it or soften it. It has no meaning, it is not sent to show us anything. This sunny, sociable, handsome man has left and we are not wiser, we are very, very sad.

David

The MAX POWER T-shirt

This is David's great T-shirt. He made it for the memorial football match.

Max's bedroom

We have three bedrooms in our house. Rachel had the back bedroom, the smallest and prettiest, overlooking the garden with a lot of original built-in wooden shelves and cupboards. Max had the front bedroom, the biggest, overlooking the street. Victoria and I had the middle bedroom, a not very large room with not much light.

After Max started at university Victoria started to get restless about this, and suggested to Max that we might swap bedrooms with him. He did like to look after his Mum and did recognise that it might not be fair that he still had the biggest bedroom. But still, it had been his room for as long as he could remember.

In early February Victoria decided to stage a putsch. We would swap bedrooms with him. We started redecorating his room. She rang Max and told him. He was a bit grumpy but couldn’t really complain. We moved his bed into the middle of the room, stacked all his things on it, covered it in sheets, and removed his table and shelving. I’d filled all the holes in the walls and woodwork and sugar-soaped it all, then Max died.

It was awful when Rosy got back from India, was told about Max by her mother, came round to our house, went up to his room to weep, found a decorator’s work site, and couldn’t even lie on the bed.

We can’t restore the room to how Max left it, and we don’t want to. We’ll have it as a sitting-room for a bit. We’ve put the shelves back and stacked boxes of his things on them. We moved the bed back to the wall. We shall put up some of his favourite pictures. The table is back in the bay window where he had it, and on it is his computer, which we brought back from Cadiz.

The computer contains masses of photos and video clips (camera and phone) of him and his friends, all full of laddish life and fun. We can sit at his table and see and hear them playing football and mucking about, in London, Newcastle, Cadiz, Brighton, wherever. That can be hard. If it can be done, we shall make some video clips accessible from the blog. In the meantime, his friends are welcome to come and look at what’s on his computer, and take copies.

When he was at home he’d sit at that table and keep an eye on the street and have the window open even in winter to clear the smoke. He’d ceased to accept that ours was a non-smoking household and I had ceased to row at him about it - I just irritated him from time to time by pathetically moaning that he knew he’d have to give it up some time, and better sooner rather than later. To stop the smell spreading to the rest of the house he would wedge his dressing-gown up against the rather big gap under his door. Didn’t really work. The smell still seeped out down the hall.

Not so long ago he admitted to us that another reason he kept his bedroom window open, or at least unlatched, was that he used to climb back into the house through the window when he’d been out too late and forgotten his keys.

Max O'Connell

To the O'Connell Family,

My name is Ben Thompson and I knew Max from as far back as I can remember, playing football in Queens Park, seeing him often in the Irish. I live in New York now and only recently learned of his passing. I cannot begin to express how sorry I was to hear the news or how much Max will be missed. Sarah Villegas was kind enough to send me the link for Max's blog so I thought I would write a short passage below and attach a photo that was taken of Max and me in an Irish bar on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, we met up there in NY a few years back. It was the last time I saw Max.

I always felt clumsy and foolish playing football against Max in Queens Park. I guess that's what he always able to do to you. At first I would try to tackle him but he would effortless skip past me with some trick he had and then score. Man was that embarrassing, especially as I was a little older and well known as a pretty solid defender. So I tried standing off him, so he couldn't use his repertoire of feints and tricks but that would just cause him to shoot from further out, and he would still score, that's what I remember about Max. Everyone knew him, liked him and agreed on how gifted he was on that field. I wish I'd known Max a little better off it, I was fortunate enough to have a drink or more like a few with him in New York at some Irish bar. We chatted casually about life, what his plans were, he said he was going to Spain at some point, football, people we knew, New York and everything else. I didn't know it would be the last time I would see him. We had a great time though and that's what I'll remember most.

Ben

Maxamillion!!!

Maxamilion....what a wonderful, warm and charasmatic young man who will be missed immensely by his family and friends. My memories of Max date way back to when he was very small. Being the little brother of Rachel who was my buddy and the best friend of my little brother Owen. I remember Max as a little boy being so full of adventure and life, swinging from the rope swing in the garden and climbing trees and i also remember being well impressed by the scar that was left on his arm after he broke it. It was like Frankensteins!!! Once when Rachel and I were about 18 Max somehow hurt his fingers and Rachel had been left in charge...she had to take him to Casualty at St. Marys in a taxi because she thought they might be broken....what a doting big sis. Meal times used to be fun at the O'connells because you could bet Max would get into trouble for goofing around or not eating his dinner.

As the years went by I used to bump into Max either at the Irish or walking round Queens Park and he was always interested in what I was doing and how things were going. I will never forget his warm smile and gentle nature. Max you are a legend and so very very loved by all whos lives you touched. We will never forget you.

Hannah Cutts

Looking cool in Spain

What a cool couple eh? Reading together, Max with his shades, and me with my seventies 'fro. This was taken in Spain in the summer of 2000. It was our first holiday together. We went with Max's parents and Isaac and Jay. I came out a few days after the rest of them and I was so excited when I saw Max at the airport. During those 2 weeks the boys taught me to play 666, a great card game. And I listened to RatPack for the first time, some of Max's favourite music. It wasn't all plain-sailing; one night the boys got in a row over whether to get a bus or taxi home. I was really drunk and decided I'd had enough by storming off down the road. Max had to chase after me and the 2 of us got in a taxi, while I think Ize and Jay got the bus!

SUPERLOVE - a poem

My love is stronger than the wind can blow
My love is longer than a piece of string
My love can read your thoughts where're they go
A superlove which can do anything.

By Rosy, written for Max September 2002.

XMAS KISSES AT THE IRISH

This is a picture of me and Max at the Irish, taken around the same time, if not the same night, as the picture of Max with his sister and Amy and Phoebe. This photo makes me laugh because we're not actually kissing, we're licking tongues. Max and I were always affectionate in public. One of the phrases we used to hear most often from our friends was "GET A ROOM!!"

Max, you're gone and I'll miss you

This is from Brian Rotman, father of Amie and Phoebe, who are in the photo in Rachel's 'At the Irish' post.

Max, you're gone and I can't believe you won't be there next time I visit Seamus and Victoria, that you won't be laughing and horsing at the table and hovering between the park and your bedroom upstairs and some never quite revealed not altogether legal malarkey on the edge of ordered Queens Park. You were such a welcome and reliable source of trouble and rebellion. I'll always remember your grin and the delight you took in sailing near the edge to keep the boredom of the world at bay. You weren't on the planet very long but you were a special and very lovable boy while you were. I'll miss you. Brian.

Max football tips

When i was playing football in Seattle i asked Max for some advice on how to be a good striker because he was such a good footballer...this is what he wrote to me and i thank him very much for it. Cheers pal.

how to be the best striker in the world written by max (velcro foot) O'C

POSITIONING-well first of all u wanna live in between the oppositions back four and their midfield. if ur team are trying to get out of ur half- when the midfield are advancing with the ball then try and drop back (facing the ur goal obv) a wee bit and collect the ball- hold it up and get it out to the wingers, if their quick, drop a wee ball past just behind the wingbacks so they can charge up the flank, then u make a quick ass run down the middle to recive it for a header/thru pass... if u are camped out in their half and the play is quite static try and recieve the ball to feet from the centremid, hold it so he can run forward and either lay it off to him for a shot or lay it off to him and turn and make a run thru the defence to recieve and bang one in! or just play a thru ball to the winger for them to cross, or if theyve cut in to have a go at goal.

RECIEVING-when holding the ball up under pressure from the centre backs stand side on (facing either wing) with ur hand/elbow outstrethed in his chest so u can feel where he is and block him from the ball with ur arm and one leg (the other leg obviously is controlling the ball). once u've succesfully done that a few times (ie controlled the ball and sprayed to the wing or given it to the cntrmid) he will expect it and u can then turn him first touch (instead of stopping the ball,) turning with the ball and flying thru towards the goal, or touch it square and have a wee longshot! also u can feel him coming round one side of you to cut out the pass- so u take a couple steps towards the ball and turn the other way! also if u've got ur arm on the centre back if one comes over the top u can turn and give him a nudge out the way as u scarper onto the long pass.

LINKUP-to link up with ur strike partner its good if u recieve the ball a bit deeper in the space between the defense and midfield. move towards ur goal with the centre back behind you then turn so facing the goal and as the centre back comes to tackle u, u play a one two with ur partner and run into the space the centre back has just left and fly towards the goal. ideally ur partner will drop a bit to recive the one then plays the ball behind the centre back who's coming to get u thus creating the ever so sought after triangle whicjh leads to u being top scorer!

RUNSONTOTHRUBALLS-most good runs are diagonal as oopsed to straight so look to run (on to stright thru balls which usually go between the wing backs and the centre backs not usually thru the two centre backs) either from outside (the wing or near the left/right back) to inside (sneaky lil runs behind the centre backs). similarly runs from the centre to the wing(or straight down the wing on counter attacks) like ur bumbuddy thierry henry always does work well- cut in and shoot, cross it, or play a one two with the advancoing centre mid and run behind the defesnse and ping one! balls right down the middle usually occur on the break in my experience so all u need to do is outpace them fat scottish centre backs u told me about!

HEADING/VOLLEYING-getting on to crosses- timing is obciously the key, and masking the direction of ur run until the very last minit. so if ur wanting to make a nr post run then stay in line with the far post or even further away, wait til u reckon the winger's pulled his finger out and is about to put one in and dart diagonally towards the front post. obviously u need to make sure the winger is ahead of u to make sure ur not offside, to give u the space to run into and to hit ball running and get full power!!!!! for corners i always run near post cos usually the big strong centre backs attack the far post- what i do is stand on the the corner of the six yard box next to the far post, run to the penalty spot (thus drawing the defender out) and then dart to the near post corner of the six yard box and nod one!

hope that helps i didnt realise i had that much to say to be honest! if only i could draw diagrams i'd love it! lemme know if it makes sense or not, happy striking bash em up! max

MyMax

Max and I knew each other for many years, for all of our lives. We went through many different degrees of friendship, sometimes we were best friends, racing each other in the playground (I would always win!) or playing with wooden guns that his dad had made for him in his big garden . We fell out of touch for a small period of time, between the ages of 7 till 12. I had gone to a different school which took me into different spheres. However it was Max that brought me back into the Queen's Park crew all those years later. I can't remember exactly how it happened or exactly when but I can't imagine what life would have been like if he hadn't taken that interest in me. Through Max I was re-aquainted with the famous Louis, Owen and Ize among others, and somehow we all stumbled into becoming inseperable once again. The thing about Max is he was almost responsible for all of my social life, I mean we helped one and other, but he really was the man who knew everyone and could sort out anything and bring people together whether it be a huge night out with half of Hampstead school or a heated football match in the park, he was your man for getting people off their arses. It was not all smooth sailing between Max and I though, we could really get to each other, and there were periods when we seemed like a married couple on the rocks rather than friends. Looking back now I believe that this was because I respected him so much and looked up to him more than anyone, it also meant I expected a lot from the boy and maybe I was too quick to snap at him when he didn't live up to my high expectations. In recent years things changed between us, we really did get along with one and other. He, in my opinion, came of age whilst at university in Newcastle, becoming more sensitive, gentle and understanding of others. Since this tragedy has happened to all of us, i have realized other things that i perhaps took for granted. I relied on Max more than i ever knew, he was a wise, positive and caring friend who would go out of his way to try and talk to me about my problems, often having to force it out cos i am too closed up. I am scared now that he is gone, because he was my voice of reason, putting me back on track when i was confused or upset. It is hard to imagine how I will fill the void now, because it is a lifetime that I expected to share with him, but somehow we have to. I take relief in knowing how much max had lived in his 23 years, he must have met and enlightened many hundreds of random people aswell as all of us.

The picture at the top is of us in the North West of Spain one summer (Outes?), we were 15 years old and had a great time getting up to no good with the locals as well as perfecting our football skills (Max's really). The other picture above was taken by Rosy in Australia in 2001 during our epic travels that had such an impact on our friendship and truely made us all. I will remember both instances forever with fond memories.

Yes yes max me ol' buddy

I have know Max for as long as i remember. I'd know him before but properly met him in Primary school, we were in Ms. Staples class, we had a rubber collection and a list of girls we didn't like. We were 7. Since then Max has been an ever-present in my life. We were best friends, brothers, and with Lou, Dash and Owen, inseperable. I have so many of the best memories of Max which i am so thankful to have. Memories of countless summers in the park, playing football against whoever would turn up...we would usually win becuase Max was the best player. Memories of when he broke his arm, jumping off a tree because I was going too slow in front of him, which later, he would laughingly blame me for. Memories of Hampstead School, the ski trip, playing football in the cage round the back and English lessons where he would battle with the teacher, pissing her off and endearing himself to her in equal measure. He did that a lot i think. Memories of travelling before uni with Lou, Dash and O. How any new place would freak him out at first until he realised it was ok and he would start to absoutley love it. He fell in love with these waterfalls in Loas, the Kwang-Si waterfalls, and he seemed completley at peace with them, as though he had found something in them he hadn't found anywhere else he had been. I think his unease in a new place came from an intensly deep appreciation for home, and Queens Park, his friends and family. And he would let you know about it at every opportunity. But what i'll miss the most, is the everyday calls, playing football in the park or just doing nothing at mine or his or Dash's. I'll never stop missing him.

Comment for Max

SPAIN 05/06

I'm a spanish girl that met Max , my name is Paula

I met Max for the first time in october.

He was looking for a flat and he entered in my boyfriend's flat to see if he liked it or not

He was smiling all the time,with that big smile he had on his face

I kept on seeing him lot of times because he used to go out very often with Daniel , so I always saw him having fun and enjoying every minute of the time spent here

The last thing he told me was : " Hey Paula Why are you angry with me? " while he was sitting in a chair in the bar making silly faces and I couldn't control my laugh and smile. Now I can't forget that face looking into my eyes and telling me funny things...

I'm so sad for his lost

Everyone is going to miss him, but I'm sure he will be alright, that's for sure.

Some photos from Marcus Yorke

Marcus sent these photos. They were taken at Newcastle, winter term, 2002.

The titles the pics came with:


J and Max in Havi
















Henry, Max and Anna
















Mike, J and Mike bw (something wrong here - that's not Max in the middle?)

A "Class A" guy...

This is from Joanna Lee Morrison.

My memories of Max are from WAY back - he was in my class at
Salusbury School. He was always one of the big kids, so I was kind of
in awe of him, but I still always liked him - he was a bit crazy and
was always fooling around, making stupid faces in our class photos
and generally making himself known! It's funny, in the last few days
I've been thinking about Max a lot and one little story keeps coming
to mind - Max had this t-shirt, it was yellow and it had Fred
Flintstone on it. One day I was in Brent Cross with my mum and I saw
it in a shop - I just had to have it! I can't even remember what went
through my mind, firstly, it was CLEARLY a boy's shirt and secondly,
to be honest, it was pretty garish, but Max had it, so I wanted it
too. I wore that t-shirt so much much that Max used to make tease
me. I don't know why that's what comes to mind when I think of Max,
but that's how I remember him - with so much fondness, as the big kid
who I wanted to be like.

Our paths crossed again, much later when suddenly the age gap didn't
mean anything anymore and he was still the same, still a bit crazy -
except this time I was grown up so he had time to talk to me! He
claimed to remember me - I THINK he was probably telling the truth!
Besides, it didn't really matter, he was so friendly and he made a
point of talking to me. I think the last time I really saw him was at
Victoria's 60th, where he rolled me cigarettes, even though I didn't
smoke in front of my parents and got me horribly drunk on champagne,
even though Victoria was paying me to waitress!

We didn't know each other very well, but Max was part of my life,
one of the Salusbury kids and part of my background, but that aside,
he was just a great guy, with so much charisma and so much to give
and his passing has affected me so much more than I ever thought it
would. Victoria, Seamus and Rachel, I am so terribly sorry for your
loss.

Spain 05

Me and Max in a bar in Cadiz when I went to visit November 2005. Silly faces
and smiles all round. Jo

Memories of Max at university

As Max's tutor at Newcastle University I remember him with fondness -
his open friendliness, his willingness to tackle the problems that came
in his way, his humour - even the sheepish and penitent way he would
shuffle into my office to confess to some minute academic misdemeanour.
I shall miss it all, very much.

Ann Davies

Dr. Ann Davies
Lecturer in Spanish Studies and Director of MA in Film
Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies
School of Modern Languages
Old Library
University of Newcastle
Newcastle NE1 7RU
Tel: 0191 222 7476
Fax: 0191 222 5442

"The Mayor"

This is Max in his park. We spent many a day playing footy and generally just chilling out in Queens Park, some might say a few too many, but we never seemed to tire of it. There is no doubt that Max was a famous face around the area, not only due to his impossible football tricks and magnetic feet, but also his genuine desire to meet and talk to everyone. He was always able to find some sort of common ground where others might not have seen any; he would always be himself and never had an ulterior motive. True, sometimes it would get him into trouble but he was never afraid of taking the piss out of himself as a way of putting people at ease again. He is an infinite loss to all that knew him and also to those who had not yet had the privilege.

I must have met Max before my earliest memory because I don't seem to have many that he is not a part of. I can take some consolation from having shared such a large part of my life with him, and O, Ize and Dash, but cannot accept that we will not be able to add to them, it feels like a massive part of the future has disappeared. I will never stop missing you Max.

The jubilee line attack

This is me and the boy terrorising the whole train and station, on one of his many last nights, for what ever reason. Going back to Newcastle or Spain. And then we would go out every time he came back.

MISSING - a poem

I love you though you're not around
In every movement, every sound
My body breathes of what you are
Although the distance is too far

I love you though you look like air
I can feel you everywhere
If I shut my eyes and try
I can imagine you and I

I love you in the way I know
The night will come, the day will go
I miss you because you are not here
And words can't make you hold me near

By Rosy (written for Max the first time he went away from me, April 2002).

what!

Bologna, summer 2005, visiting Lou, playing beach footie and making videos doing kickups. loved it.

Max and Lou in my house! Normal day, off to the park to be nutmeged by maxo. christmas time in 2004.

Max and family in Stockton Woods last summer

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Ever since the children were little we all used to stay in a friend's cottage in Wiltshire and go for walks in the woods above the village. Admittedly Rachel was keener than Max on the idea of walks in the woods, but he joined in cheerfully and found trees to climb. On this last walk he started to tell us a bit more about his gap year travels with the other lads - bits he hadn't told us about in detail before, such as the epic expedition up the volcano, and the spiders in the jungle.

MA

This is the Maxieboy that we know and love....grinning and laughing as always....in my kitchen.