Maxwell “Max” Vincent Howard Fishlove (age 19) of Charlotte, NC, passed away unexpectedly on August 14, 2025.

He was a young, loyal friend and firefighter with the Pineville Volunteer Fire Department in North Carolina, who was pursuing his deep passion for helping others as a dedicated firefighter. Max was born on March 15, 2006, in Hannibal, MO, the only child of Thomas Irving Fishlove and Susanna “Anna” (Ritacca) Fishlove.

Max graduated from high school in 2024 in Charlotte, NC. He formerly lived in Madison, WI and attended Van Hise Elementary School. Max was an outdoorsman. He completed a 17-day expedition through Outward Bound in Chesapeake Bay, Maryland in the summer of 2023. Max was self-motivated and completed his high school diploma finishing online classes while working a full schedule at Target at Blakeney Mall for 3 years.

“The sudden passing of Max is a tremendous and tragic loss for his family, and for the Pineville Volunteer Fire Department, and our entire Charlotte and Salisbury region.” according to the Pineville Volunteer Fire Department. “Max was loved by many as the kind leader and young volunteer firefighter who would always have others backs on the fire ground. Our thoughts and prayers are with his entire family during this difficult time. May perpetual light shine on our Brother Firefighter Max and his legacy.”

He is survived by his parents Anna Fishlove of Charlotte, NC and Thomas Fishlove of Bentonville, AR; he is also survived by his maternal grandparents, Vincent and Maria Ritacca of North Carolina; uncles, Jeffery and Mark Ritacca of Ft. Lauderdale, FL and William Fishlove of Chicago, IL; Godmother Cecilia Ketner of Madison, WI; great-aunts and uncles, Diane Stone of Chicago, Il and Rosalie Messina of Madison, WI, Cecilia Webster of Chicago, Il, Angelo Messina of Alexandria, Virgina, and Vito Messina of Madison, WI; best friends, Xander Corriher, Hannah Jackson, Dalton Miller and Jocelyn Krezmer; close cousins, Beth Bartoli, Jodi Ritacca Carlini, Greg Carlini, Sean Lewis, Ann and Tom Strobbe and many other cousins in Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota and California; and his faithful loyal four-legged companions, Dozer, Velma and Eli.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Howard and Hildy (Webster) Fishlove; great uncle Helmuth “Herb” Webster and great aunt Joanne Katz. 

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