Maxwell T. Penton

Maxwell Thomas Penton, of Waltham, died unexpectedly on Monday, April 3, 2023 of an accidental overdose. He was 24.

Max was born in Cambridge on May 29, 1998, a son of William and Elizabeth Sullivan Penton. He was raised and educated in Waltham and attended UMass Dartmouth.

Max was many things . . . a beloved son and a loving brother. He was a talented drummer and was classically trained in music, playing the viola growing up. Most recently, his passion was creating rap music with his cousin. He was an athlete, excelling as a pitcher on the field, and a defenseman on the ice. He was an artist who could paint and draw and had a special affinity for photography and cinematography. Growing up he would use legos to create stop action and even convinced his mother to drive the minivan to make it look like a chase scene for his live action movie. 

Max also loved nature and the outdoors. His favorite place was in the White Mountains of New Hampshire at the mountain home cabins in Bartlett. His family will always cherish the many happy memories they created vacationing at the campgrounds on Papoose Pond in Maine.

He also enjoyed mixed martial arts, and loved training across the various disciplines from boxing to karate, yet you wouldn’t know it when you experienced his warm gentle nature once he got to know you. He was also a great friend. Known for his sense of humor, Max was always quick to crack a joke. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Max was predeceased by his grandfathers, Stanley Penton and Papa Joe Bukoiemski, his aunt Tracy O’Donnell and his uncle Chuck Penton.

In addition to his parents, Bill and Liz Penton of Waltham, he leaves his brother Kyle Penton (Meredith Baron) of Waltham; his grandmothers, Patricia Penton and Joann Sullivan; his aunts and uncles, Pamela Penton, Patricia Penton, Sharon Keane and Lori Sullivan (Ron Brown); his cousins Luke, Cody and Chandra Penton, Miles and Aiden O’Donnell, and Marcus Mazzarini, along with many friends and loved ones.

Family and friends will honor and remember Max’s life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham, on Tuesday, April 11^th from 4 to 7 p.m. and again on Wednesday morning when his funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in Mount Feake Cemetery, Waltham.

Memorial donations may be made to a fundraiser established to benefit a dear family friend and Max’s former coach, Sal Cincotta, by visiting https://gofund.me/c32cd8a0 or to the Community Day Center of Waltham, 16 Felton Street, Waltham, Massachusetts 02453, or by visiting https://www.communitydaycenter.org/