Halloween-loving local continues his journey

For 10 years, until 2022, local Center Moriches graduate Max Mastropierro prepared for Halloween, hosting haunted walks, fixing mechanical decorations, and fundraising for Spirit of Children, Spirit Halloween’s charity.

In 2021 and 2022, Max, with the help of his father, hosted a family and friends party at a law enforcement motorcycle club in Bohemia. Since then, he and his family have moved.

But the former local who loves Halloween has been on a great journey, pursuing his childhood dream. His parents, Patti and Mario, are also moving back to the Moriches to be closer to Max—fittingly, this October.

“Nothing screams Halloween like fall in the New York, New Jersey areas,” said his parents.

Now living in New Jersey, 19-year-old Max recently completed a summer internship at Spirit/Spencer Corporate Offices in Egg Harbor Township. The internship was in Product Development, his dream job since childhood. He grew up surrounded by all his Halloween animatronics purchased from the pop-up Spirit Halloween stores near the Center Moriches area.

He has also been helping a friend repair animatronics for a haunt done each year at a campground in the Philadelphia, Pa., area. 

After his internship, to no one’s surprise, he was offered a full-time position in the Dr. Zombie Tech Squad area of Spirit Headquarters.

“He helps talk customers through fixing technical glitches and repairing or replacing non-working animatronic components,” his father explained.

Max is also looking forward to going back to college and working his way back to being full-time on the Product Development Team.

But does he still love Halloween?

Max said his love and passion for everything scary has not wavered since he was 5 years old. If anything, it has grown infinitely. He said he loves living in New Jersey, working for Spirit, and prepping for each upcoming Halloween season. 

As for his future plans, he wants to help his parents run a local, private Spirit of Children charity fundraising event, where all monies raised go towards helping make hospitals less scary for children battling illness.

To donate, reach out directly to Max or head to your nearest Spirit Halloween pop-up store, where donations are graciously accepted for Spirit of Children charity.