“Neil was one of the best friends I ever had. I am so sorry for your loss.”

“Several golf trips! He always made each round an experience!”

“Neil “ you know how to drive” lol man was the grateful man on this earth i wil paint tha city green foe him.💞❤️”

“Neil and I would have lunch at the Blue Bonnet once a month if our schedules permitted. We laughed and shared some fun stories about business. He always worried Lisa was working too hard and he loved his time with her. He shared so many stories with me and our connection was very special. He is the best listener I have ever met. He wanted to know every detail to a story. Those lunch dates are very fun memories for me. I found one picture of Neil and had so many others but they were lost in the fire. I am grateful for the one I found. A Florida production trip in 2015”

“​“Spelt just as it sounds, or the traditional spelling is correct!” Neil’s favorite response when asked how to spell his last name. When I think of all the fabulous times, we had together I will just start laughing out loud, laughing so hard tears will come to my eye’s!
​One time we were at lunch getting ready to order (after Neil had fully quizzed the waitress on the menu). The waitress asked what we did for a living and without missing a beat he replied, “You’re looking at a couple of trophy husbands.” He delivered the line straight, and the waitress did not know how to respond. Throughout the meal he would tell her this is our down time as trophy husbands but when we are home we had to be on! It’s not all fun and games being a trophy husband when our wives say jump, we say how high! The waitress brought the check and said she wants to be a trophy wife some day! Neil replied, “Careful what you wish for, we were male underwear models, you know what I am saying” The young waitress replied, “Well, I mean sort of, not really I do not know what you’re saying.”
​Neil was known as “Peepaw” and Lisa as “Sassy” to Leo their grandson. Peepaw was known to all the children at Leo’s school, friends and everywhere Leo and Neil would go. Neil would walk into school and children would start yelling “Peepaw! It’s Peepaw!” Neil would say, “Peepaw in the house” and fist bump every child, friend, and staff. Neil had a charm, charisma that drew people to him everywhere he went. Truly, Neil “NEVER MET A STRANGER.”
​We cannot imagine the pain Lisa, Leo, Tara, Zach, and the entire family feel at this time. We know Neil loved you all with everything he had and would do anything in the world for everyone of you! Neil “Peepaw” was one of a kind, my best friend, but really, he was a best friend to so many. He took the time to listen, advise, support, and help. Neil was the kindest person in the world. We cry with the loss of Neil, but we know he is with Joe in heaven. We have the many, many, many stories and memories to bring a smile to our face. We love to hear them all. We love you all.
”

“I don’t even know how to capture the essence of Neil in text but I’ll try my best. Neil was my step-grandfather for several years and from the very second we met, he treated me like his own grandson. When he found out I didn’t have a laptop, he took me to the Apple Store and got me one (and haggled the price down as if we were buying jewelry on the beach of Cancun), when I wanted to tour art schools he came with me up to Seattle to tour them. If he hadn’t had taken me, I wouldn’t have gone to that school because it was what made me fall in love with Seattle. I truly believe my life would be different if I hadn’t taken that trip with him. Something very special about that trip was him (being as bold as he was) asked what my sexuality was and I simply replied “I don’t know yet, maybe bi, maybe something more” and it was the first time I had ever expressed that to anyone, and in my heart I know he kept that secret safe. He introduced me to his brother, and his brothers partner and deep down I know he knew how important it was for me to see a world outside of Denver in order for me to be myself in every capacity. Even before his passing, I feared what life would be like if I hadn’t taken that trip with him. Thank you Neil for being such a pillar of support in my teenage years, I will forever be grateful❤️”

“Neil it hurts deeply not being able to see you again before your passing. I just want to say thank you for your endless support and love at the start of my musical journey. Wish you could see what I’ve been up to all these past years, definitely a lot of growth since you’ve seen me in high school 😂. I appreciate you for everything Neil, see you in the next life my man love always 🙌🏽”

“The very first time I met Neil was when I met Rob’s ‘extended’ family and I was extremely nervous to say the least! Rob had always kept in touch with Neil as they went to the Nuggets game and the avalanche games, etc. together. Neil made sure to put Rob first in his plans once Rob lost his first wife ‘Karen’. Rob had always told Me about Neil and Lisa and how absolutely wonderful they both were, so I tried my best to not be so nervous when I met them all for the very first time at what they called ‘ Desserts’. Rob had already Told Neil that I worked for the radio station doing script, writing and voiceovers for ads. Once Rob and I showed up for the dessert event, I knew exactly who Neil was when he approached me and said ‘ With a face like that, what are you doing in radio😂’!!! This is one thing that will never ever ever leave my mind, and I felt like I was attached to his hip from that moment on! He always made me feel welcomed, and I felt loved accepted into the family. Neil, you will always be extremely missed and my heart will be forever broken. May you rest in peace and thank you thank you thank you for all the wonderful kind words and actions that you have shown me..”

“ I had the wonderful pleasure of joining Neil on a guys golf trip to Bandon Dunes in 2000, when only 2 courses were open. We started the trip in Portland , where we were able to meet Neil’s parents. The trip culminated at Brandon Dunes where I had messed up tee time and we literally arrived at our tee time and ran to the first tee. I’ll never forget the interaction Neil had with our caddie. Neil was well on his way to not breaking 100 , when on the 17th hole Neil convinced the caddie to bet him a $100 that he’d would par the hole. If Neil parred the hole, the caddie would have to give Neil his white looper uniform. Sure enough Neil pars the hole and receives the caddies outfit. Staying on a roll that night, he somehow convinces the waitress to give him her name badge. “Birdie” of course. Always so fun to be with. I will miss him dearly. Hope the Packers win it all this year in his honor.”

“ Neil was always telling a good story or asking what you needed. He dove all in when we asked him to marry us. He said “we will always have this special moment between the three of us.” He was right. So thankful to have known such a great man. We will miss him.”

“ I had the good fortune of knowing Neil for over 20 years. Neil never met a stranger is so true. He had a way of making everyone he came in contact with feel good when they were around him. His infectious spirit, story telling and one of a kind laugh will be greatly missed. Rest in peace my friend. Love to Lisa and family.”

“ When I told Neil that my son was going to Evergreen State College, I was ready to explain where it is, why my son wanted to go, etc. Most people I talked to had never heard of it. Neil knew all about it. He knew it was well know for their alternative approach to higher education, and that other colleges are emulating what they do. Neil had such an amazing curiosity and inquisitiveness for everyone and everything in the world. I appreciate knowing him and the joy he felt connecting with so many people in this world.”

“Being Leo’s nanny, I had the pleasure of getting close with P-Paw. We could talk for hours and I felt comfortable to call him during my more vulnerable moments in life and sure enough, he was there immediately and provided care and comfort during a hard time. His love for Leo was heart warming and his excitement to see Leo was unmatched every single time. I know he will be missed so so deeply by many, but especially Leo. It’s only fitting that I share a photo of Leo pouting that I was picking him up from preschool and not P-Paw. We love you so much P-Paw. The world has lost a great friend.”

“N-E-I-L Neil, Neil!! The Neil cheer! I remember him doing it with us when we were little and our arms waving all around and we would all laugh and laugh!! Also, if you’d tell him that you loved his Dodge Ram, he would give you the BIGGEST bear hug. Neil was so silly and fun, always making us laugh. There was never a dull moment when you were with him. You really felt loved.”

“I liked everything about Neil except his love of the Green Bay Packers. He was a wonderful human who will be greatly missed.”

“When I think about Neil I think about the most unique person I’ve ever known. Nobody has had a greater influence on my life than him and I believe he was able to have a positive impact on everyone he came in contact with. He at a minimum would make you laugh and there’s not much better than that in this world. I am beyond grateful to be lucky enough to have had such an amazing role model to learn so much from about life. A truly unforgettable and amazing human being. My Uncle, my friend and my hero. Love you Neily”

““Niel never met a stranger.” Fact..

He had a way of making everyone feel like they’d known him forever, and he could make anyone laugh – I’m still laughing at his jokes even today. He was a man of endless curiosity, humor, and a bit of mischief.

One of Niel’s quirks was his fascination with knives, which felt ironic considering he was on blood thinners. But it didn’t stop him – I’d find knives here and there and pass them on to him, and he’d accept them like they were treasures.

Niel loved to understand things, to dig deeper, to ask questions. I remember one time when he joined me on a search warrant at a storage unit that belonged to a child molester. As I was cutting through the lock, Niel stood there in awe, asking question after question, genuinely interested in every detail of the process. He was like a student, fascinated and ready to learn about whatever I was doing. That was one of the things I loved about Niel – his endless curiosity and his genuine enthusiasm to understand the world around him.

He was also a man of many names – “Jack Mehoff” and “Ben Dover” among them – always ready to make people laugh and, sometimes, embarrass the ones he loved just for the fun of it. Niel was truly one of a kind, the kind of man who lived to bring joy to others. I loved him like a friend and a father, and I’ll miss him deeply.

Rest easy, Niel. Thank you for the laughter, the friendship, and the memories.”

“Uncle Neil was more than just an uncle; he was a guiding light, a confidant, and a cherished friend. The kind of uncle who slipped you candy when your parents weren’t looking, told you the funniest jokes, and made you feel like the most special person in the room. He was the uncle who never said no to sleepovers and always made time for us.

One of my fondest memories is when Uncle Neil taught me how to drive. He didn’t just show me the ropes; he taught me that a car was a ticket to freedom and a world of possibilities. From keeping it clean to doing donuts, he made every lesson an adventure. What made him truly special was his ability to connect with us, like when he nurtured my brother’s gearhead passion, despite not being a car guy himself. Uncle Neil always found a way to be part of our world.

Reflecting on my relationship with him, I am forever grateful for how he helped shape my life. Growing up without my dad was tough, but Uncle Neil made sure I felt connected to him. He created a superhero version of my father, turning him into a figure of admiration and strength. This narrative became a cornerstone for me—a source of courage and healing. Thank you, Uncle Neil, for giving me that gift.

When it was time for me to start my own family, Uncle Neil was the first person I turned to. I was clueless about diamonds and proposals, but he guided me with his trademark flair, making me feel confident and ready for marriage. He was always there to make life’s big moments unforgettable. It was only fitting that he had a special role in my bachelor party, reserved for him long before I even knew what it meant.

Uncle Neil was the kind of man I aspired to be—fun, successful, and loved by all. He taught me so much about life, love, and laughter. We will miss him dearly, but his spirit and the incredible memories he left us will always be with us. Thank you, Uncle Neil, for being our hero and for the endless love you shared. You will never be forgotten.”

“Oh no! We lost a great one with Neil. I hadn’t seen him in a few years, but I thought of him often and will remember the kindness you speak of. He was the perfect addition to any group or occasion. The life of the party.”

“I met Neil 4yrs ago at a gas station my tire was flat. It was raining and I had no coat on and I was all wet outside . Neil walked over pulled my coat out and said ya know this is why it in ya car right. As I’m putting on my coat he starts to talk to me about his grandson Leo. He’s telling me how much he loves being with him and how much he loves hanging out with his grandson. Since then every day from there id text him and ask how’s grandson and every day he told me a new explore with him. Imma miss my friend for sure and hearing all the stories about the love of Leo. Thank you Neil for being a star in the cold night . Rest my friend.”

“Neil was the life of the party on our Boys Golf Trips! His constant banter made all of us laugh, laugh, and laugh. Though we missed Neil for our last few years’ excursions, something always reminded one of us to tell a story that included Neil. Rest in peace, Neil.”