Sharing Christmas Joy, And The Memory Of Their Son

Every December, a Christmas tree goes up on the small boardwalk overlooking Stone’s Beach along Nantucket’s south shore. It’s adorned simply - just some white lights - and the serene scene it creates has delighted beachgoers and those driving by on Nonantum Avenue.

But the true significance of the Stone’s Beach Christmas tree for one island family is that it represents love, loss, and cherished memories of a son, brother, and friend gone too soon.

Island residents Liz and Peter McCusker are the ones behind the Christmas tree. Every Dec. 1, the McCuskers put it up at Stone’s Beach as a tribute and in remembrance of their son, Quinn, who died of an accidental overdose on Christmas Day in 2018.

“Quinn loved Christmas, and it was hard to let go of that,” Liz said this week. “We just wanted to remember him, and didn’t want him to be forgotten. And Stone’s was his favorite beach.”

The McCuskers have been open and candid about their son’s struggle with addiction, and his life was featured in the short film “The Boy Next Door,” which was released in 2022 with the intention of breaking down the stigma of addiction as well as the barriers for seeking help. The Christmas tree, the McCuskers said, was a way to honor Quinn’s memory at his favorite place and during his favorite holiday.

“He would have coffee religiously at Stone’s. It’s a place he went to contemplate and had a lot of happy times there. Of all the beaches in the world he had been to, Stone’s was his favorite,” Liz said. “We felt it was appropriate, and his close friends and family, we’ve all been able to enjoy it and think of him there. We’re so happy to share it, and so many people have mentioned the tree randomly to us, not knowing we put it up. We went there one time and saw people taking photos of the tree. It meant so much to see other people experiencing the same joy we have when we’re there. It’s just a message for Quinn and our community. The community has been so supportive of us over the years. We love Nantucket.“

“So the tree is to wish everyone peace and remember Quinn,” she added. “We hoped it bring a little magic and special moments.”