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NATICK – Neel Francis Southwick died of natural causes at the age of 55 on Friday, May 6, 2022.

Neel was born in Natick to Delores Southwick of Westboro and Francis Southwick (deceased).

He grew up in Natick, and graduated from Natick High School in 1985. In 1990, he graduated from Curry College in Milton, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications and Computer Science.

Neel was a Sergeant (E-5) Cavalry Scout, U. S. Army Reserves, 187th Infantry, Fort Devens, beginning in 1986 and was honorably discharged in 1994.

He was married to Randi Padernacht from 1993 to 2017. They had two children, Benjamin, and Farrah; twins born in 1999.

They opened a family business, Southwick Fine Jewelry Consignment, in Natick in 2007. He studied with the Gemology Institute of America and became a Diamond Grader in 2011.

Neel loved Natick, grew up there, owned a home there, and raised his family there. After his divorce, Neel moved to Holliston. In 2020, he met and began a relationship with Beth Lawton Sailer of Cranston, RI. Neel had two jobs at the time of his death; he was working as a Roadie with the rhythm and blues band The Senders and as a Stone Setter for Tiffany and Company in Cumberland, RI.

Neel enjoyed both being home with family and being out with friends. He was enthusiastic about nature and the outdoors. He loved skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, BMX biking, roller-blading, and motocross. He had a passion for music and loved going to concerts and music festivals. He was very sociable, enjoyed making meaningful connections, and appreciated lengthy discussions on a variety of subjects. Integrity was important to Neel. He loved and was devoted to his family and his friends. He will be deeply missed.

Neel leaves his mother Delores Southwick, two children Benjamin Southwick and Farrah Southwick, and his three older sisters, and their families. Romma Southwick, and her family, including her daughter Mikayla, fiancé Jameson White, and his children Matt, Grace, and Nicholas. Lea Southwick, her children Jarod and Devon, and their father Jonathan Ellis. Noelle Southwick, her husband Frank Marra, and their children, Collen, Arin, and Quinton. He also leaves his girlfriend, Beth Lawton Sailer, and her family, children Zackary, Harrison, Gabrielle, Carly, and granddaughter Everleigh. He leaves many beloved friends and family including Rob Sweeney, Sharon McGrath, the Caruso families, the Masho families, and the Lombardo families.

Neel was a long-term member of the New England Mountain Bike Association (NEMBA), in lieu of flowers, donations are appreciated. https://member.nemba.org/Donate/ or the Down Syndrome Society of Rhode Island https://www.dssri.org.

Funeral Services will be held at John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park Street, Natick Common, Natick, at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 16, 2022. Visiting hours at the funeral home on Sunday, May 15, 2022 from 4 to 8 p.m.

By editor

Susan Petroni is the former editor for SOURCE. She is the founder of the former news site, which as of May 1, 2023, is now a self-publishing community bulletin board. The website no longer has a journalist but a webmaster.