Maxwell Harrison Belknap, Max, passed away on January 21, 2017 in a tragic car accident. He was 27 years old.

Max was born on October 8, 1989, in Cleveland, Ohio, and moved to West Chester, Pennsylvania, where he lived until 8th grade. He spent his high school years in Southbury, Connecticut. After graduating from Culinary School, Max started his life adventure by driving across the United States, stopping in to visit with friends and family along the way. He landed in Elma, Washington, where he found his passion and his peace. He has lived there for the last two years, surrounded by his extended family, friends and loved ones.

Wherever Max lived, he built a community of friends. His family is most proud of Max’s acceptance and respect of others. He loved his family and friends deeply, and those warm, loving feelings were returned to him over and over again. His passion for life extended into his many interests, including gardening, cooking for friends and family, shooting and being outdoors. His quiet time pursuits included watching movies and being an avid reader. His love for children was evident in the time and care he spent with his nieces, nephews and friends’ children. Max was always there for his friends and family, and he was protective over those he loved.

He is survived by his parents, Robert W. Belknap, Jr. and Susan Burt Belknap; his sister, Alison and his AFS sister, Maria Gabriela Montoya Corrales; his paternal grandfather, Robert W. Belknap, Sr., and his maternal grandparents, Donald and Dorothy (Walker) Burt. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandmother, Beatrice (Ring) Belknap and uncle, Gary Beers.

His extended family includes Susan (Belknap) and Robert Rohrig, Jen, Christopher, Malory and Griffin Rohrig; Nancy (Belknap) Curren Beers, Joshua, Camryn and Ashley Beers; Judy (Belknap) and Andrew Bruns, Michael, Jackie, Pasley, Sawyer and Bella Bruns; Bailey Burns, Emerson and Melody Megibow; Barbara (Burt) and Peter Sherland, Chris, Lisa and Henry Sherland, Paul and Elizabeth Sherland, Claire Sherland; Beverly (Burt) and Gordon Robertson, Megan (Robertson), Jon, Nathan and Ellie Webb, Erin Robertson; Richard Burt, Maxine Burt Bauer, Annie and Jeffery Burt.

Max’s parents and sister would like to thank the family and friends in Max’s world who helped make his life so wonderful.

A Celebration of Max’s life will be held on Saturday, February 4, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at the United Church of Christ, Southbury (283 Main St., Southbury, CT). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honor of Max to PAWS of Grays Harbor: www.pawsgh.org

To share memories or leave a condolence message for the family please visit www.harrisonfamilymortuary.com