SWAMPSCOTT — Maximillian “Max” Carbone’s legacy will forever sit at Blocksidge Field, thanks to the high school’s graduating class of 2019.
Two months ago, the Swampscott, Nahant and Wentworth Institute of Technology communities mourned the death of 19-year-old Carbone, who was found dead in a wooded area in Roxbury after a night out with friends.
In search of a way to “give back to a family that was devastated by the loss of their child,” Swampscott High School’s graduating class president Ben Turner, 18, said he and the rest of the student council members wanted to implement a memorial bench in Carbone’s honor at Blockside Field, where he grew up playing soccer, his favorite sport.
The words stamped on the bench described Carbone as, “A passionate athlete with an infectious smile and the kindest heart.”
“I can’t tell you how much this means to us as a family,” said Carbone’s mother, Jennifer. “I hope all of you guys will spend time here and can find moments to enjoy the bench … I met one of Max’s friends here for dinner last week and we just sat here for a while. What a perfect view of the field.”
The legwork for getting the bench in place began the Friday following Carbone’s death, Turner said. Students quickly brainstormed fundraising ideas, such as car washes at the high school, a movie night and selling flags that showcase pride for “Big Blue.” To reach the $2,200 goal needed for the bench, Turner said the senior class allocated some of the money from their school account to cover the rest.
It was personal for Turner, he said. He and his senior class wanted to find a way to support class Vice President Julia Carbone, Max’s younger sister. Growing up the same age as her, Turner said he became close with the entire Carbone family.
“I thought the family needed something in Max’s honor,” Turner said. “This is probably my greatest achievement as the president of the class of 2019. It means a lot to me. I wanted to do something special and I wanted Max’s legacy to be forever.”
Jennifer Carbone said the support from all three communities is what helped her family get through the last few months. She looked around at “all the kids who loved Max” and smiled as she noticed the sea of red.
There was one sweatshirt her son wore the most and it was a red classic “Black Dog” hoodie from Martha’s Vineyard. Jennifer Carbone said one of Max’s classmates from Wentworth reached out to the apparel company and asked them to make boxes of the same sweater with his initials monogrammed on the sleeve. Not only did they agree to the request, but they gave proceeds to the Max Carbone Memorial Scholarship fund, which has raised more than $106,000.
While thanking everyone for coming out to the bench’s unveiling ceremony, Turner gave thanks to DPW Director/Assistant Town Administrator for Operations Gino Cresta and the Select Board for their help with getting the bench ready. While it may have been a quick turnaround to get it finished, Swampscott will now, and forever, be able to honor the life of Max Carbone.
“This was everything to me,” said Julia Carbone. “Obviously I was broken by everything that happened but I have gotten through with the tremendous support of the Swampscott, Nahant and Wentworth communities and my friends. It will be nice to come here and watch a game, just like Max used to.”
