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wrote on August 8, 2017 at 12:39 pm:
I am lucky to have met Alex through our work together in shanghai.
It is quite unique when you can only dig out good memories of somebody. We had deep discussions, we had silly discussions, we had a blast together, we did great stuff together. I will miss you Alex, and I regret not having spent more time with you
wrote on August 8, 2017 at 9:56 am:
I worked with Alex ten years ago in Shanghai. He was an extraordinary colleague and friend. There are things he said that were so wise and insightful I can still remember them almost word-for-word a decade later, and that still shape how I try to think and act today. Whether shaping research that remains profoundly influential today, or on trips around Asia, or just in long and still resonant conversations, he was exceptional. This is a great loss. My deepest condolences and sympathies to his family and all who knew him.
wrote on August 7, 2017 at 8:14 pm:
My sincere condolences to the Maasry family and all of Alex’s friends and co-workers. I knew Maas from DC and we also went to Penn together. He was a remarkable person and it is a big loss. My favorite story about Maas is from when he was doing recruiting for his junior year internship. Apparently he had written on his resume that he could solve a Rubik’s cube. So of course, one of the consulting firms where he was interviewing brought a Rubik’s Cube to his interview to see if he was BS-ing or not. What they did not know is that Maas could solve a Rubik’s cube without looking at it. So he proceeded to answer their questions while looking them directly in the eyes and then placed the solved puzzle on the desk when he was done. I remember hearing this story thinking that he was just on another level. But with all his accomplishments and skills he was always very humble and inclusive. He made things seem so easy to him – like he was born knowing how to solve a Rubik’s cube, but I’m sure he worked incredibly hard when nobody was looking. He is an inspiration who will be greatly missed. May his memory be a blessing to all who knew him.
wrote on August 7, 2017 at 12:43 am:
My deepest sympathies and condolences family and friends of Alex. I remember Alex being incredibly brilliant, personanable, funny, confident, but most importantly kind and thoughtful to everyone around him. He made this world better and while his loss is unimaginable, I truly hope he is in a wonderful place - peaceful, happy and with you always in spirit.
wrote on August 5, 2017 at 5:29 am:
My deepest condolences to the Maasry family. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of loss. I grew up playing club soccer with Maas in the nineties (Bethesda Cobras/Alliance) during our middle and high school years. On the pitch, Maas was as fierce a competitor that I've ever known and ever had the privilege to compete with. Maas was one of a kind. Exceptional athlete, smart beyond belief, and humble... Maas was "good people". Although we grew apart after high school, I have many fond memories of our youth, including winning two State Championships with Maas. RIP, brother. Until we meet again!
wrote on August 5, 2017 at 3:17 am:
My favorite quality about Maas aside from his sharp wit and sense of humor was his humility. While many in his shoes would have, he never touted or spoke regularly of his vast accomplishments. It was as though he was so confident and comfortable in his own skin, that he had nothing to prove. He led with actions, not words. His civic engagement and leadership is inspiring not only to me, but also to his many friends who aspire to make society a more just place. Maas's impact on the communities and lives he has touched will be felt for years to come. I am very proud to have had Maas as a friend. I love and will miss you Maas.
wrote on August 5, 2017 at 12:09 am:
Had to pleasure of working with Alex on our work with the Bay Area Economic Council and he was involved a variety of MGI research. Trully one of a kind - passionate, caring, fun, funny, loved by his teams and colleagues, always fun to run into him in the office and just have a chat, and be insipired. Grateful to have known and worked with Alex. Thanks for the inspiration.
wrote on August 4, 2017 at 11:05 pm:
Very difficult to express sorrow and feelings here. Maas knows what he meant to me, and the inspiration and confidence he always instilled in me will continue to bring me happiness and fortitude every day.
I miss my friend very much, and my heart is with the Massey family and the countless others who, like me, would not be the same person without Alex's genuine, compassionate, hilarious, and dedicated love.
wrote on August 4, 2017 at 8:48 pm:
I had the privilege of having Alex in my class at the Stanford GSB. I would have said "of teaching him" except that with Alex teaching/learning was very much a two-way street. Even among the many, many talented young men and women I have had in my classes over several decades, Alex stood out. Not just for his smarts but for his sparkle too. I am going to miss him.
wrote on August 4, 2017 at 6:29 pm:
Alex is an amazing person, period. His energy, enthusiasm, positive outlook on life, gregariousness were unparalleled. His humor and smile and kindness could light up and transform any room, any meeting. As a colleague, he has had so much influence on how I think about impact at the Firm and beyond... And on how I think of all my colleagues as a single team aimed at the same goal. In a place where things move fast and you can often feel judged or like you are competing with others, he would always remind us that we were all in the same boat and rowing in the same direction. One team one dream!
wrote on August 4, 2017 at 4:13 am:
To Alex's family and friends, you are in my thoughts. I remember the first time I met Alex - he interviewed me. I walked away from that interview with one thought: he's so kind. He became such a buddy over the years. He cared about his family, friends and the world so deeply. Alex is such a brilliant, strong and kind soul. You are missed, Alex.
wrote on August 4, 2017 at 1:03 am:
Alex had - and still has - an amazing presence. His magnetism and personality would fill the room and make everyone feel part of something bigger than themselves. Be that in a group or one-on-one. I love that about him. Always unapologetic for not bending to convention. Always unique. It's that intangible, almost impossible to describe, feeling of being with him that makes him unforgettable. RIP Alex.
Deep condolences to the Maasry extended family and friends on his untimely passing.
wrote on August 3, 2017 at 3:45 pm:
May I share the following poem with the Maasry family, together with my deep condolences:
The Source
God’s love and wisdom are the source
from which we spring to run life’s course
back to this source we will be going
when finished with a lifetime’s growing
While in this life we may forget
we’re from this source of love … and yet
it helps us find our destiny
in subtle ways we seldom see
This source of love and wisdom sees
our lives as woven tapestries
but, through the limits of our mind
just single threads is what we find
Unconscious of the fact that souls
have come to follow unseen goals
we cannot grasp why some lives last
and others seem to end to fast
But we can trust each soul to know
when time has come for it to go …
and trust, although we don’t know when
our souls and theirs will meet again.
June 17, 1988 Ton en Marilyn
Written at the passing of Ton’s younger sister Sylvia
wrote on August 2, 2017 at 7:17 pm:
I played soccer with Maas on the Bethesda Cobras and Alliance teams during our middle- and high-school years. Even on teams with big talent and outsized personalities, Maas consistently distinguished himself as a leader with his intelligence, talent, competitive fire, compassion and work ethic. He could outrun and outlast the biggest/strongest/fastest players on our team - and often did - just because he wanted it more. He had this mischievous smirk, like he knew something the rest of us didn't. And, of course, he did. By age 15, he was probably the greatest Acey Doucey card-player of all time.
I didn't stay in touch with Maas after high school, so I can't attest first-hand to the man he became. But after reading some of the other tributes and anecdotes on this site it's clear that he carried his legacy as a Bethesda Cobra to his adult years. My deepest, most heartfelt condolences to the Maasry family and Maas' friends. I feel privileged to have known Maas even for such a short period of time. Rest in peace, Alex.
wrote on August 2, 2017 at 12:52 pm:
I did not know Alex very well but have just received the email at work about his passing and I just wanted to post my condolences to his friends and family and let you know you are all in my prayers.
wrote on August 2, 2017 at 9:39 am:
We were very sad to receive the news last week that Alex had past away. My deepest condolences to all family and friends. Alex was 7 years old when he was part the bridal staff together with Laura, George and Ceasar during my wedding with his aunt Digna in September 1988. I couldn't fathom at that time that he would grow into such brilliant young man except later for the far to few reports from pround mother and aunt. Bewildered, sad and surprised that such valuable live is ending so much to early. He indeed will be missed. I salute the 4 sisters of Ellen but especially Annelies and their childeren and wish you all strength with your loss and my fondest regards
wrote on August 2, 2017 at 8:09 am:
Ciao Alex, I am a colleague of Milan (Italy). I have your same age and I freezed when I heard about your passing. I read all the wonderful things you did. Thanks a lot for your contribution in improving the world. I hope many people will took inspiration from your actions and ideas and will continue improving our world also in the future! Thank you Alex!!! Love, Arianna
wrote on August 1, 2017 at 11:41 pm:
Alex, we didn't know each other, but I heard about your passing and I took some time to read the things that others have said about you. The world was lucky to have you - for too short a time.
wrote on August 1, 2017 at 5:35 pm:
We are saddened to hear about Alex. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.
wrote on August 1, 2017 at 3:48 pm:
We were surprised and deeply saddened to hear about Alex. Two of our children (twins Alan & Danielle) were classmates of George and a year ahead of Alex, and I (Bob) had the pleasure (and it was a pleasure) of teaching George, Alex and Caesar in the AP Physics class. I enjoyed the wit, the energy and the joie de vivre of them all. Mimi and Annelies had their European upbringing in common, and at the various parent occasions were often in conversation. Our heartfelt condolences to the Maasry family and to all of his many friends.