Forged By Grief: Son, 27, Talks About Losing Both Parents

Andrew Maksymowicz was 19 years old when his father, Henry Joseph Maksymowicz, died of cancer. He was 26 a year ago when his mother died, also of cancer. It's an incomprehensible amount of loss for someone so young. 

Maksymowicz spoke about grief recently at a gathering at Swift Community Center, not far from where his mother had worked during some of her years employed by the East Greenwich School Department. worked at EGSD administrative offices but also at Eldredge School and, lastly, in the Guidance Department at EGHS. 

Carrie's death one year ago this month was tough for everyone who knew her. For Andrew, it was the second time in eight years that he had to bury a parent. 

He has taken that grief and decided to use it to help others. That was how he could speak to those assembled at Swift. Losing his parents, he said, was awful but it is part of who he is. As such, he embraces that part. 

Andrew has drawn inspiration from his mother, who developed cancer four years before she died and worked throughout. 

"I asked my mom when she was two years into chemo: 'Mom, how do you wake up, go to work and do everything you do while still going through chemo?'

"Her response was quick.  'Everyday I wake up, put my lipstick on and tackle the day.'" 

That image of his mother always putting lipstick on to greet the day became a rallying cry of sorts for Andrew. It helped him realize he needed to do more with his life. He'd been walking dogs and working in a liquor store. He quit working, knowing he was meant for something better. 

Today, Andrew – who grew up in Warwick and now lives in New York City – is pursuing an acting career but also blogging (Too Much Too Soon) and speaking about the grieving process. Check out the video attached here to learn how he coped with talking about his father after he died. It's practical but extremely poignant.

If you'd like to learn more about Andrew Maksymowicz, click here for his blog.