Jeffrey Michel NEFF

NEFF, Jeffrey Michel Jeff died peacefully after a long illness on June 21, 2017. He was born on June 1, 1941 to Lowell and Babette Neff in Manhattan, New York. He grew up in the Bronx and studied fine art which led to his initial career as an art director. The inherent pressures there led this free-spirited, kind, unconventional and giving man to flee to upstate New York where he became an auto mechanic. In 1977, seeking further adventure, he set off for California. A pit stop in Tucson became a permanent stay when he was introduced to his soulmate, his "Forever Sweetheart", Barbara by mutual friends. He was her "Sunshine Man" and they married May 18, 1979. Jeff was mellow yet meticulous, always willing to go above and beyond to lend a hand. Generally soft spoken, yet intelligent and articulate, he was often a man of few words but was full of interesting things to say once you got him talking. He was very knowledgeable about many diverse topics including astrology, religion, art, music, computers, bicycling, the care and keeping of animals (especially birds) and cars. He was a wonderful painter and really got back into this in his later years, especially after Barbara died in March 2016. Despite his own health problems, he was an incomparable caretaker to her in her last years after he retired as the art director of the UofA Alumni Magazine. He was optimistic yet realistic. His perspective on life could be summed up by a song he used to sing while playing the autoharp, "Keep on the Sunny Side of Life". He and Barbara were two peas in a pod, homebodies who enjoyed just being together and who shared a love of art, music, dancing, cooking, bicycling, UofA Basketball and, above all, animals. In the early years, they maxed out at nine cats and six dogs but later added bunnies and birds to the mix. Jeff became especially knowledgeable about pigeons and doves. He became a loving father to her son, Steve and strived to reconnect with his other children: Lenny, Lela and Stoney but his tendency to avoid conflicts made this task only partly successful. He deeply loved and was loved and cherished by so many, foremost his wife, Barbara; his son, Steve and grandson, Alex; his daughter-in-law, Jennifer; his daughter, Lela; his brothers, Lowell (Anneke) and Ron; his sister-in-law, Joanie and her family as well as so many others. He always put the needs of those he loved first and foremost in his heart, his mind and his deeds. His family, friends and critters will miss his warmth and kindness, his sense of humor, his giving nature and his love. He is reunited with all of his loved ones, human and animal, who have previously crossed over the rainbow bridge, especially his "Forever Sweetheart" Barbara, and is at peace. Arrangements by EVERGREEN MORTUARY.