Modern Vespa

Max's sister, Eunice, has asked me to inform Max's Modern Vespa friends, that he isn't going to make it. The infection he has been fighting has spread to his organs.

While many may have never had the, "spectacular" experience of meeting Max face-to-face, I am sure you knew him well from his many posts here on Modern Vespa.

Please share any memories, photos and thoughts of our passionate, lively and funny, scooterist compatriot Max6200.

I finish with a quote by Vincent VanGogh:

"For myself, I declare I don't know anything about it. But the sight of the stars always makes me dream in as simple a way as the black spots on the map, representing towns and villages, make me dream.

Why, I say to myself, should the spots of light in the firmament be less accessible to us than the black spots on the map of France.

Just as we take the train to go to Tarascon or Rouen, we take death to go to a star. What's certainly true in this argument is that while alive, we cannot go to a star, any more than once dead we'd be able to take the train. So it seems to me not impossible that cholera, the stone, consumption, cancer are celestial means of locomotion, just as steamboats, omnibuses and the railway are terrestrial ones.

To die peacefully of old age would be to go there on foot."

If I know anything about Max, he would most definitely would ride his scooter to a star.

Awww Geeze, god's speed Max. Ride well...

Beautiful quote Belk. Thanks for that. Is Max the guy in the center wearing the red T-shirt?

Best
Miguel

Well, fuck.

Max, know that you will be missed and your contributions here will be missed as well. We are all less off without the colorful character that you brought to this community.

Fair seas. Prevailing winds. Good weather. Miles of smiles in the afterlife.

To Max.
~hoists one~
sláinte

As my grandma said: an bhféadfá do bhóthar a aimsiú

-g

So sad to read this.

Max, may the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Yes Max is the man in the red shirt.

Very few of us get to decide when we go. One can only hope it is mostly painless.

Dammit. Stuff like this is so hard to hear. We'll miss you, Max.

so very sad, I just hope he has not suffered.

Bless you Max.

I first met him in Abilene in 2012 and he made a real impression by making a pass at me.

That was more memorable than riding all day in Texas.

I also remember him asking for relationship advice in here soon after I first joined.

If you can could you keep us all updated ?

Bill x

Sad news, Judy, Bitza and now Max in the space of 12 months, not a good year for MV Legends!

Sad. RIP Max.

Bloody hell. I hope he gets good care through to the end.

Love you Max.

Sad news indeed. Although I've never met Max or know him, I've been part of this community long enough to know that it is connected and supportive enough that any loss resonates through us.

I pray Max finds comfort and support as things draw to a close. And perhaps some of that may be fueled by memories on two wheels and the people here that he came to think of as friends.

Godspeed Max.

Another sad day.

somerset

Terrible news as it looks like MV will lose another one of its valuable contributors.

Max always had something interesting to add to various threads.

I was fortunate to meet him when he traveled to Norman, OK to meet the 2014 SCR as it was passing through.

Most riders were doing maintenance in the parking lot, so it was a busy afternoon/evening.

I wasn't working on Rocket (should have been changing the belt and variator) so I could sit and talk with Max for a few minutes.

I remember his pleasant smile and personality.

He will be missed.

Check out those amazing blue eyes.

Bless him.

Bill x

And so we lose another spice from the stew.

So sad.

God bless you Max.

Oh boy. This is sad to read.

I never met Max in person, but we exchanged numerous messages. Everything from technical discussion about ceramic coatings, LED lighting, and painting sheet metal to just everyday life things more related to our shared passion for Vespa and skiing. He often mentioned how much he had learned from the MV community and how it gave him the courage to jump in and do his own work on his scooter. Vintage Red Matthew, he mentioned you in particular as someone who had provided a lot of advice and guidance.

You'll be remembered and missed Max!

-Craig

Hard to read.

Max is one of my absolute favorite fellow Vespa owners nothing but love for the man.

His heart is beating today, I will remain hopeful he pulls thru until God tells me differently.

SDG

So sorry to hear this. Max was a fixture on MV from well before my time, IIRC.
His presence here will be missed.

Godspeed, Max.

How sad to read this news. I never met Max, but always enjoyed his posts. He will be missed. Peace and Godspeed Max.

Wow. I told the hospital to call me if he regained consciousness. He didn't and I will never have a chance to make amends or say goodbye.

The best thing he taught me is to not hold a grudge.

Goodbye Max. I will miss you more than you could know.

Matthew

Thanks for the pictures, Matthew. Sorry things didn't end as well as they could have with you too. Happens often enough. Something for all of us to ponder.

Oh FFS! This shit has to end here at MV. I'm very sorry to hear of this and my sincerest condolences to all close to Max. For what amounts to a pretty small community we have had more than our share of loss.

*EDIT* A few here may not know about this feature. Here is a link to Max's posts. I did the same for Judy and Bitza and read through many of their old posts. It's a way to remember the MV member that is taking that last winding road or if you did now know them it's a way to get a little peak in to the person that is no longer with us.

https://modernvespa.com/forum/search.php?search_author=Max6200

I also read some of max's posts. His first one was pretty entertaining and I loved his musing.

Thank you Miguel,

That, was an amazing post!

Man, we could use more of those.

A true love affair. He posted 7201 times over his 8 years here so there's lots of material to read. Have fun reminiscing with Max! Richard Lemmon and Aviator47 are two of my other MV legend authors that have taken their last ride over the last few years. But they live on via MV.

Best
Miguel

Never got to meet the man, but sorry to read of his illness, and apparently worsening condition... Sorry news for family, friends and many MV family...

Sad news. I don't think I ever had a conversation with Max here on MV, but I was well aware of his presence.

Met Max at the 2012 Amerivespa we were staying in the same motel. Pointed me and my wife to a nice local restaurant. Did't have a long chat but I still remember him and I followed him on MV . Thanks Belkwinith for the photo brought back some very pleasant memories. God Speed good sir and comfort for all who he touched.

That's where I first met Max as well when he and Vintage Red Mathew rode down from Kansas to meet up with the cannonball riders over a Texas BBQ. Met him a couple more times including 2014 Cannonball in Norman and Lake Geneva Amerivespa where I think Martha's picture was taken. I'm traveling and didn't bring my laptop or I'd look for a couple of photos with Max in them.

Godspeed my friend.

Farewell, Max... Never met you, but I'll keep you in my thoughts, and maybe one day we'll cross paths on a different plane.

Farewell Max. I never got to meet you, but we've had many pleasant conversations on MV over the years, and you are a stand-up guy.

Geez, this place is getting less and less colorful by the day.

Wait! Did we also lose Judy? I was away for many months.

Indeed, we did. Bitza too, more recently.

I Arrived here way, way after, but early enough to read a few of Max' posts. It hurts to read the thread, and look at the photos: I see a vital person enjoying the living daylights out of things, and leaving the scene way too soon. Someone I wish I'd had the chance to meet.

Thanks for this, Belk. Hurts to read, but vital to know.

+1 But you never know, sometimes people manage to pull through against all odds.

Fingers crossed!

That's awful news, sorry to those that know him well .

Fair winds and smooth seas Max. You will be missed.