Maasai is simply amazing. Many times I was fortunate to visit with him about school and his interests. I was always impressed with his peaceful manner and self confidence.  He is an old soul and a gift from the heavens.  Selfishly, I wish he was still with us but apparently he has been called home.   My heart is heavy that such a talent is no longer an earthly presence. I pray for Raqib, Ana and Macon and all friends and family.  You have our love and support. 
Robert Ferguson and team

Anna I was deeply saddened to have heard of Maasai's passing, but as a survivor of a lost child, I can assure you that soon you will began to understand God's methodology and how it plays into the scheme of things. Although brief, my encounters with Maasai has left indelible mark's upon me as I remember his jovial and warm personality. I also remember him to be well versed in his academics, and quite an athlete. I know that his memory will live on in the lives of many, and I pray that you and your family find peace in the knowledge of a loving God.
From Yvette and myself, please keep your head to the skies and know that Maasai is amongst the Angels.

I only encountered Maasai briefly  across sessions of a philosophy of race class and a bit outside of it, yet in that time there is much to be said about him. He was a kind, deeply thoughtful presence, with a witty humor, a strong sense of justice, and he was quite a writer. When he shared his thoughts and words, laden with clarity, and dedication, people would listen and consider what he had to say. May he live on in the lives he has touched, and rest well. This life is often fleeting, unfairly so, and to carry on the goodness of a deceased person dear to us is one of several things we can do to respect their memory. 



Maasai was a good friend of mine back in middle school. I remember him doing backflips and impressing everyone in school with his crazy gymnastics. Even tried teaching me. He always had smile and was very mature for his age at the time. The last time I was with him we were walking home after the last day of school and I remember thinking if I was ever gonna see him again during high school.  Even after all these years I still consider him my boy and he wont be forgotten. 

Ana and family,
  My sincere condolences to you and your family.  I  am deeply saddened to hear about Maasai from Serafiina, my daughter.  My kids, Serafina, Aaron, and Nicolas,  attended Village Elementary School  with Maasai and Macon.  That was a beautiful time for our families to get to know each other.  The field trips, campouts and volunteering at school afforded so many beautiful moments for our children.  Memories of Maasai that I have, and that I will always cherish are his heartfelt laughter, his big beautiful smile, and his ability to make you laugh and smile too! 
With love and sympathy,
Yolanda  and Ron Chavez

We were desperately looking for a geometry tutor for my son, we were helping out his mom for a Christmas party at his house. My son mentioned to Maasai he's looking for someone to help him with geometry. Maasai right away volunteered to tutor my son, my son graduated HS. This is all he needed in order to graduate from HS. I witnessed a GIANT HEART in a small boy.  Your GIANT HEART is forever embedded in our souls. Ofa atu Maasai we will never forget you.

I first became aware of Maasai's existence when he performed at an English Society open mic night and then officially met him when he was a fellow winner in the Honors College's Claudia Rankine contest. The next semester, we had Philosophy of Race and Racism together. I really admired the fearlessness with which he made his comments in class, even when it was to tell the professors that he disagreed with the way the course was set up. Sometimes he'd wait for me after class so we could walk and talk and he even read the first few chapters of my manuscript when I asked him to and sent very helpful feedback. He was always so nice to me. I can't even begin to imagine what those really close to him are going through and can only offer my condolences and hope for continued strength. 

You never realize that the last time you speak to someone will really and truly be the last time...

Maasai was a student in my writing center pedagogy course this past spring. He was fiercely smart, offered keen insight on interpersonal situations, and was a sensitive peer-tutor-in-training. His presence was felt every day he was in class. He will be missed.

Maasai, 
You will be greatly missed. May God give courage to your Mom and Dad to deal with this irreparable loss. 
Rajesh and Annu Navani


I had class with Maasai my last semester at Hofstra. It was a course pertaining to the philosophy of race and racism. His contributions in class were so outstanding and often had me thinking about some of his remarks long after the class session had ended. He was a pleasure to be around and I know he will be dearly missed by many. My condolences to all his family and friends. 

I had the privilege of having Maasai in my Introductory Creative Writing class at Hofstra University. He was a unique and very talented young man. He was a sharp, responsible, and intelligent student with a great sense of humor and wonderful poetic talent. We frequently discussed current trends in Hip Hop music, and one time Maasai even performed a brief 'freestyle' in my class to the delight of his fellow students. Maasai had an uncanny talent to break down complex poems and literary texts and discuss them with a keen critical eye and sense of maturity way beyond his years. I ran into him in a cafe on campus on the last day of the semester this past May. I gave him a big hug, and we spoke about collaborating in the near future and meeting up in the fall to discuss the self-publication of some of his poems. I am saddened and shocked by his passing. Words simply can't describe my anger and disbelief. I will miss him greatly.  Que descanses en paz, querido amigo!

The Hofstra University community is saddened by Maasai's death and we send our condolences to all his family and friends. He will be missed and we appreciate all that he contributed to our campus.

Maasai was in my American Fiction class last year.   The sophistication and insight of his comments in class astonished me,  his close readings were often truly original,  and texts that had seemed perhaps overly familiar to me seemed new again in light of the life he brought to the encounter.  This helped make the class better for everyone.   I learned a lot from him--he changed the way I see Ellison's Invisible Man especially, a book I think he took to heart--and I loved his quiet, attuned, curious presence.   It lives  on in those of us who shared time on 
Earth with him.

Maasai could eat fiercely -- especially when there was Costco beef jerky available. We often hauled the Jones Boys and the Lewis Lads around town and naturally kept a ready stash of snacks handy. 

When Maasai was with us, we had to be sure that we had the double bag of jerky for him as he had an amazing appetite for it as fuel for gymnastics, storytelling and even reading.  Never seen another young man that could pack that stuff away the way he did.  I once asked him if he got meat at home. 

He replied in his usual funny and kind way that: "Yes I do, but this is much better. Can I have some more?"

We miss you

I had Maasai in two classes at Hofstra, both parts of the first-year sequence in Honors College. He was absolutely wonderful--a sharp reader, excellent writer, and thoughtful participant in discussion. Getting to know him was an absolute gift, and though he was no longer in my classes in his second year, I followed his progress and thought happily that my colleagues were getting to know him as well. I have rarely felt so attached to a student; he was special and really important to me. I will send a longer letter about Maasai to his family, because there is so much to be said about somebody so smart, so wryly funny, and so good.  For now I will simply extend my deepest sympathy to them along with his friends and other faculty. I know we all miss him terribly.

Maasai was a student in my Book Promotion class this Spring semester. He added so much to the class by always asking insightful, intelligent questions and engaging in discussions. I am so sorry for your loss. Maasai will be greatly missed by the Hofstra community.

Hugs,
Jennifer Romanello


Maasai was in my Popular Song Lyrics class in the spring of 2017.  He was a serious, engaged, and thoughtful young man, who particularly came alive whenever the lyrics of Chance the Rapper or Slick Rick were the topic of discussion.  His writing showcased a keen mind and a big heart wrestling with life’s most important challenges.  I am truly sorry to learn of his passing.  Please accept my deepest condolences.

A wonderful friend who walked through the world with kindness, genuinity, and compassion for everyone.

Maasai you will be dearly missed.  Our family will cherish all our moments with you. Condolences to your family.

Love,

The Silva Family

Maasai was a student in my class on the literature and film of the zombies this past fall. I remember well how his readings of some of our texts were intellectually astute and provocative, especially his analyses of I Walked with a Zombie and Colson Whitehead’s Zone One. And how could I forget his final project...a very original video project!  Although I only had him in one class, I will miss him. I am deeply saddened for your loss. 

Maasai was one of the first friends my son met in middle school.  Such great memories of a very great person.
Forever in our hearts.

I am deeply saddened by the loss of Maasai Jones.  He was such a bright light!  Most memorable, for me, were his lucid and moving contributions to a discussion about an essay by James Baldwin.  He taught me a great deal; for that, I am grateful.   My heart is heavy, and my thoughts are with his family and friends.

Words can't express how sorry I am to hear of Maasai's passing. He was a great, kind soul, who felt like part of my family.

When I think of Maasai, I always see his beaming face and hear his laugh. I can still see him in the back of my car, on the way to gymnastics with my son, Eric. The endless talking and giggles in the backseat always made me smile. I wish I could travel back and listen in again.

Maasai was loved by all, and touched everyone he met. I wish his family strength and love.

Tracy Lerma

A fantastic person, and an even better friend. I met him on my first day at Hofstra, And he has been my roommate for the past two years. Can’t describe the sadness I feel for his passing, but he is now in a better place. 

My condolences to the family. I wish you all the best over the next couple days; it will be hard, but if you guys are anything like Maasai described you’re more than strong enough to live with this tragedy. He cared for you all deeply, and spoke highly of everyone. RIP my friend 

Maasai was a student of mine in his second semester at Hofstra University. I can't express how sad I am. He was an extraordinary young man: deeply, interestingly, powerfully thoughtful, undistracted by easy answers, kind and creative in criticism. I learned a great deal from him. He taught me things about teaching I had not known were there to learn. I miss him terribly. 

Maasai was one of the most talented and dedicated gymnasts that I have ever had the opportunity to coach and watch grow up.  His work ethic and ability to push through all the obstacles that confronted him was unparalleled.  His ability to make those around him smile and laugh, no matter the situation, forever will be one of many of my greatest memories of Maasai. 

Maasai, without ever knowing, made me a better coach and a better person and I will never forget my gymnast and friend.

Maasai and his family will forever be in my thoughts and prayers.

Coach Tony

OBITUARY

Maasai Haile Jones

19 January, 1998 – 14 June, 2018

Lima Family Santa Clara Mortuary

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