Based on the life of:
Max Lechner
2000 - 2011
Benefitting the Charity: The Compassionate Friends -www.tcf.org.uk
Fiona
The term "sunny personality" is a phrase that fitted you Max Lechner, so perfectly. Max, you always had a smile on your face and a cheery word for everyone you met. Your enthusiasm for everything you did was infectious. Being with you for any length of time, made people realise the importance of living in the moment. You loved each new experience and for you, it wasn't about winning or losing in a game; it truly was the taking part and enjoying every moment.
Max, you didn't judge people - you didn't weigh up how popular they were or what they owned. You treated everyone the same and were interested in everyone equally. You always sensed if anyone around you was feeling upset or weren't their usual self, which was remarkable in one so young, and you were quick to offer a hug. If you ever thought you might have hurt someone's feelings, or done something wrong, you were so quick to say, "Sorry". It isn't an easy word for any child - or adult - to say, but you were always so quick to say it.
Our families spent a lot of time together and you loved the sleepovers and the chatting long into the night! It was wonderful to see how much you loved school and the huge number of people you enjoyed meeting there through the day. You really loved greeting and talking to everyone - your friends, the teachers, headmaster, the dinner ladies and the lollipop lady. You brightened everyone's day with your cheerful demeanour and infectious giggle.
I watched you grow from a baby of just a few months old, to the happy 11 year old boy who won hearts wherever you went. There is now a huge hole in our lives and when our families get together, I cannot begin to express how much we miss your presence. We will always remember you and picture your beaming smile and fun loving ways.
Fiona xxxx
Claire
To try to capture the essence of Max on paper is virtually impossible.
Max was Max - a complete one off. If you met Max you never forgot him. He was everyone's friend, his personality utterly contagious. Max touched the lives of so many people - from the local bank staff to the teachers at school, from the friends of his brothers to every child he met along the way.
Max was funny. He was happy when everyone else was happy and he managed to achieve this with his smile, his laugh and his sometimes outrageous comments!!
Max was kind. He cared so much for others - often running to help fallen friends, or players in opposing teams, even if sacrificing a goal in the process!
Max was brave - never seeing obstacles in his way, never seeing a challenge too big to overcome. He approached life with a positivity we could all learn a lot from.
Max was so loving. He was never scared to show his love and it seemed completely unconditional to those closest to him. Max's hugs were legendary!
The impact that Max had on everyone while he was alive has been so apparent in the void he has left behind.
A truly amazing son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, friend and human being.
Max was ...... Max.
Kirstin
Max blessed us with his company for 11 fabulous years and 53 precious days. With a name derived from the latin word meaning "greatest" and given to three Roman Emperors no less, can it be any wonder that this was a young man who always had such a strong presence in any situation and had such a tremendous impact on our lives.
Max was just an amazing little man who was full of cheekiness, mischief, fun and unbridled joy. He deserves to be celebrated because for Max, life simply meant happiness - and how many of us can say that?
I had the pleasure of knowing Max since he was at nursery school with my oldest child. An early example of his unique 'Max-ness' was at birthday party at a soft play centre just before Christmas. Half way through the event, it was noted that Max wasn't there. A discreet search was undertaken until Max was found sitting on Santa's knee telling him that he'd been a good boy that year and was bound to get everything he wanted, right? Of course, Max was completely oblivious to the fact that you had to pay £5 for the privilege of getting a one-to-one with Santa!! The very relieved 'party Dad' dashed away to get the cash, gave it to Max who took great delight in handing it over to Santa who, in turn, gave Max his gift. Deal done, Max rejoined the party quite the thing!
When I think of Max, I think of soaking wet swimming shorts with flames on them going up and down slides at a waterpark all day.. I see a bright red 'Michael Ballack' German football top jumping up and down on a trampoline at a 6th birthday party.. I see him running as fast as he can with his head facing down into the wind... I also hear an infectious, gravelly laugh which heralded his arrival, even when you couldn't see him.
Max loved family, food, fun, football, and hugs. He also treasured his friends - and those of us who were lucky to be in that special group loved HIM with all our hearts, and we always will.
xx
Lindsay
Anytime I think of Max it's almost impossible not to smile! Max always had the biggest smile and hello for anyone he met. He was super enthusiastic for everything,whether it was football, cubs, swimming, school (even cycling the 2 or 3 miles to school !), games, eating, chatting but, most of all, he loved being with people. He had a great ability to engage with anyone and almost any interaction with Max would leave people with a big smile on their faces.
That is the legacy that this amazing fun/life loving boy leaves and, whilst it is tragic that he's no longer around to share more precious times with us, he seemed to gain, and give, far more in his short 11 years than most of us can hope to in a lifetime of 70 or 80 years.
Max, it was a privilege to know you and you are very fondly and firmly in our memories forever.
ICGs - I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your continued love, support & friendship and always being there for me - I've needed it more than ever since losing Max. X
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