The Heart Behind Our Purpose
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Mason William Fox
The boy who showed our family a whole new meaning of love and life.
A son, the oldest of four brothers.
A cousin, grandson, great-grandson, nephew and friend.
An all-star hockey player.
A devoted Lightning fan.
A bright student who loved learning.
A teammate, a community hero, and a child whose bravery inspired everyone who met him.
Our hero. Our Mason.
He lived for the game.
Hockey was Mason’s greatest passion, second only to family and friends. He began skating at three and played organized ice hockey by five. He dreamed of making it to the NHL, then becoming a coach, and eventually a commentator. His hockey IQ and love for the game were unmatched.
The day that changed us forever.
Then came a word no family ever wants to hear: cancer.
On April 26, 2023, Mason was diagnosed with high-risk B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. From that day forward, he faced every challenge with courage beyond his years and a smile that never faded. He refused to let cancer define him.
As he battled, he chose love over fear.
Even through the hardest treatments, Mason found ways to lift others up. He noticed that not every child in the hospital had their parents by their side like he did, and his heart broke for them. Determined to make a difference, he became an ambassador for multiple childhood cancer foundations, raising awareness for the impact this disease has on entire families.
He would use his own money to buy toys and candy, then proudly walk the halls—IV pole “Ivan” by his side—handing out his treasures to other kids. That was Mason: spreading joy wherever he went. His bright blue eyes, his infectious grin, and his kind spirit could light up any room.
Chef Mason
When treatment kept him off the ice, Mason found a new passion in the kitchen. “Chef Mason,” as we called him, created incredible meals and recipes—another way for him to express his creativity and zest for life. In his honor, we’ve partnered with the Ryan Callahan Foundation to create “Mason’s Off-Ice Creations,” celebrating his favorite dishes and his love for bringing people together through food.
When heaven gained our hero.
In early 2024, Mason was nearing the final, most difficult phase of treatment before entering maintenance therapy. During a hospital stay, he tested positive for a fungal infection. After a week of fighting with every ounce of strength he had, his body could fight no more. Mason passed away peacefully, surrounded by love—his mother holding him and his father holding his hands and head.
Because of Mason
Just weeks later, as Mason’s 11th birthday approached, his parents remembered his wish: that instead of gifts, he wanted to collect toys for the children’s hospital. In honor of that wish, over 5,000 toys were donated for his birthday.
That act of love and generosity became the heartbeat of Smile Like Mason Fox—our foundation created to carry on his legacy. With the unwavering support of our neighbors, hockey community, and fire department family, we are committed to keeping Mason’s light shining.