Deceased Classmate: Maxie Branford (1967)
Date Deceased: September-16-1994
Age at Death: 45
Cause of Death: pancreatic cancer
Classmate City: Lake Park
Classmate State: FL
Classmate Country: USA
Survived By:
Max died September 16 1994 at Jupiter Hospital. He struggled with pancreatic cancer for almost 2 years. I had the privilege of driving him back for the MD Anderson clinic in Houston in August 94. He came back to see his Mom Lucille and some friends before passing. He was with friends when he died. His Mom moved to the west coast and passed away within the next year.
Max is buried in a small town in south Alabama in a family plot, ironically next to a baseball field. You may know of course his father was his coach through organized ball up until high school. You can imagine the conversations they now have?
I am Jim Still from RBHS Class of 1967. I knew of Max but he was a class celebrity and star athlete. I was at the opposite end of the spectrum.
Oddly and most appreciated though, I saw and I talked with Max at the reunion just prior to his passing. He was so kind to me and he was so inquisitive about me and my life. Jim Austin from our class described Max as the "salt of the Earth." I felt fortunate in connecting with Max and finding a new friend.
I attended his memorial service along with Don Woodall, Kathy Wood and her then husband, Roger Hurd and Chuck Pigott. Like others, I got up and related the same anecdote and comments.
I was holding Max's hand as he slipped away around 6pm on September 16, 1994, while giving his very dear friend, Anne McGrail, who never wanted to leave his side, a chance to go home, have some dinner and feed her kitty. He was such an inspiration to me when I was going to court reporting school. I'd see him at the Palm Beach Mall, standing outside of the the book store selling his encyclopedias. I recall complaining to him (because I was feeling so old), "But, Max, I won't graduate until I'm forty!" His response was, "Well, you'll be forty if you don't, so what do you want to be doing when you're forty?" I never worried about it anymore. He was special and always an encouraging friend. I still think of him often, as I do all of my RBHS friends. Hope to see you all at the next reunion.
Don Woodall (1967)
Max died September 16 1994 at Jupiter Hospital. He struggled with pancreatic cancer for almost 2 years. I had the privilege of driving him back for the MD Anderson clinic in Houston in August 94. He came back to see his Mom Lucille and some friends before passing. He was with friends when he died. His Mom moved to the west coast and passed away within the next year.Max is buried in a small town in south Alabama in a family plot, ironically next to a baseball field. You may know of course his father was his coach through organized ball up until high school. You can imagine the conversations they now have?
James Still (1967)
I am Jim Still from RBHS Class of 1967. I knew of Max but he was a class celebrity and star athlete. I was at the opposite end of the spectrum.Oddly and most appreciated though, I saw and I talked with Max at the reunion just prior to his passing. He was so kind to me and he was so inquisitive about me and my life. Jim Austin from our class described Max as the "salt of the Earth." I felt fortunate in connecting with Max and finding a new friend.
I attended his memorial service along with Don Woodall, Kathy Wood and her then husband, Roger Hurd and Chuck Pigott. Like others, I got up and related the same anecdote and comments.
Sandra Rodenhizer (Robinson) (1967)
July 30, 2011
I was holding Max's hand as he slipped away around 6pm on September 16, 1994, while giving his very dear friend, Anne McGrail, who never wanted to leave his side, a chance to go home, have some dinner and feed her kitty. He was such an inspiration to me when I was going to court reporting school. I'd see him at the Palm Beach Mall, standing outside of the the book store selling his encyclopedias. I recall complaining to him (because I was feeling so old), "But, Max, I won't graduate until I'm forty!" His response was, "Well, you'll be forty if you don't, so what do you want to be doing when you're forty?" I never worried about it anymore. He was special and always an encouraging friend. I still think of him often, as I do all of my RBHS friends. Hope to see you all at the next reunion.
Sandy Rodenhizer (Purino)