Mason William Tomas Rego

Mason was your typical 13-year-old boy, full of energy, curiosity, and a loving sense of humor that made every moment with him unforgettable. He was the kind of person who found joy in simply being with others—whether it was his idea or someone else’s, Mason was always along for the ride. Sometimes he’d hesitate at the more adventurous stuff, but he’d always give it his best shot—along with some of his best complaints—and that just made it all the more endearing.

He had a gift for making people laugh and feel loved. If you made a joke he liked, he’d nudge you endlessly with his elbows, leaning in with no regard for personal space, wearing the kind of grin that made it impossible not to smile back. That grin—so full of life and mischief—was Mason in a moment.

Mason deeply valued the people in his life. He took time to really know others, learning about their hobbies, beliefs, and lives. He had a quiet way of showing his care—like joining a friend in fasting during Ramadan, simply to show his support. His friendships weren’t just surface-level; they were intentional, kind, and full of heart.

He had many passions that lit up his world. Mason loved to cook, shop, and build—especially with Legos. His favorite sets were Star Wars ships and Formula 1 cars, but some of his most treasured creations were ones he designed himself, crafting original Star Wars-inspired spaceships straight from his imagination. His room still holds years' worth of creations—finished builds and scattered bricks that speak to the worlds he dreamed up.

Mason also loved gaming—whether on his PC or Xbox—but especially in Minecraft. He poured years of love into one massive Minecraft world, filled with underground tunnels, lava flows, farmland, sheep, villagers, horses, and pigs. It wasn’t just a game to him; it was a place he shared with friends, inviting them to build their own islands and be part of something creative and lasting.

Mason was an established traveler. In his 13 years, he experienced so much—family cruises, week-long lake trips in Georgia and South Carolina, and, most memorably, a dream vacation to Alaska. He was the only one in the family who stayed awake long enough after arriving in Seattle to explore with his grandparents, Marc and Darleana—whom he lovingly called “Abuelo and Mim.” Together, they visited the Space Needle, glass-blowing museums, the pier, and indulged in amazing seafood. Mason had one requirement for the trip: Alaskan King Crab. It was his favorite food, and checking that off his bucket list—eating Alaskan crab in Alaska—was a joy to witness.

He had a deep love for all his grandparents, and he had many. He was a thoughtful planner, often organizing his winter and summer trips to visit Grammy and Grampy (Angie and Manul), where he spent time with his baby cousins, built Legos, played Fortnite, and made memories to last a lifetime. Mason loved Grampy’s garage, where he helped build Harleys, learned how to use the 3D printer to make parts, and took a real interest in the family business. Shopping trips for Formula 1 Lego sets and movie nights with Grammy were special traditions, as was watching car customization shows together.

Mason was also a protective and loving big brother to his sister, Lilly. Their bond was filled with laughter, closeness, and just the right amount of sibling teasing. He would hold her hand in crowds to make sure she didn’t get lost and annoy her in the most classic big brother ways—like standing in her doorway just to bother her. But no matter the teasing, they were inseparable—two peas in a pod. Together, they watched countless TV shows, including a favorite: Gilmore Girls. They had many debates about who was the best "guy" for Rory. Mason, ever the foodie, also took pride in teaching Lilly his famous “cooking hacks” for simple meals like Ramen. Whether they were playing Roblox or Minecraft, hanging out and watching TV, or just goofing around, Mason always looked out for her, made her feel safe, and gave her a gentle (or not-so-gentle) push when she needed it.

Mason loved being surrounded by the people he cared about, whether family or friends. He was the jokester, the encourager, and always down for the ride. He didn’t just exist in the moment—he lived it, fully and joyfully, no matter who he was with.

From a young age, Mason was raised as an outdoorsman. He loved the water—fresh or salty, it didn’t matter. If it was swimmable, Mason was in it. He was his dad’s best first mate: hitching the boat, loading it, packing it, and sometimes even steering. He quickly learned how to cover it up solo when the day was done. On lake vacations, if someone brought a boat, Mason was the first to help launch it. He snorkeled the springs with a LifeStraw in hand, doing his own thing, exploring and soaking up every moment. The water was his happy place.

Though Mason’s time on Earth was far too short, he lived fully, loved deeply, and dreamed boldly. He had big plans for the future and was excited to start high school in August. With two of his schools combining, he was thrilled that all his friend groups would finally be under one roof. He’d also been working on an old ‘95 Bronco with his dad, joking it might one day be his first car. He didn’t care if it was—it was about spending time together. The day he nervously pulled it back into the driveway after driving it for the first time, the grin he gave his mom said it all.

He dreamed big—there were talks of joining the military, taking over his Grampy’s business, or even working for the CIA. He once told his mom, “How cool would it be to not be able to tell people what your son does for a living? It would be top secret.”

As a son, Mason was a true joy to raise. He was everything you could ask for—curious, loving, funny, strong-willed, empathetic, and completely one-of-a-kind. He made his own choices, followed his heart, and walked to the beat of his own drum. He gave everything a try, wasn’t afraid to feel deeply, and always led with love. He was a kid any parent could be proud of.

The loss of Mason has left an uncurable wound on so many hearts. He is missed deeply by family, friends, teachers, and peers. But his spirit lives on in every smile, every nudge of the elbow, every shared laugh, and every moment of kindness inspired by the way he lived his life—with joy, empathy, and presence.

We know he is still with us. And we will carry him, always.