Neil Rochford Ivey

1972 - 2025

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved boy, Neil Rochford Ivey, 53, on August 22, 2025.

Neil was born May 23rd, 1972 in Pittsfield, MA to Pamela (Heady) and Arthur Ivey. He was raised in Great Barrington along with his three younger sisters, Hilary, Emily and Courtney. Alongside his cherished cousins, Mara, Carrie, Ayren, Jordan, Brooks Ann and Ashli. In addition to his immediate family members, Neil leaves behind a vast network of many beloved aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Neil was a 1990 graduate from Monument Mountain Regional High School going on to attend Canterbury School in New Milford, CT as a post graduate. From there he went to Skidmore University where he graduated in 1995 with a degree in Business Administration. During school, Neil excelled on the basketball court and made many meaningful connections with coaches and players that would last his entire life.

To know Neil was to know a really tall guy. He was handsome, kind and beyond funny with the quickest wit. He loved his family, all sports and all aspects of the weather. In Neil's world, friends were just as important as family.

Neil moved South to North Carolina in 1999 to pursue a career as a nursing home administrator. While working in Elizabethtown, NC he met the love of his life, Sara B, a nurse at the facility. Together they raised two amazing kids, Jackson Arthur and Lindsey Leigh, both of whom have inherited their dad's height and sense of humor. They have always been Neil's greatest accomplishments. He was always talking about Jack's strong work ethnic, their love for golf (especially Freddie Couples) and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Perhaps most of all, Neil was proud of Jackson for his ability to surround himself with loyal and supportive friends. His "little muskrat", aka Lindsey, was the quintessential daddy's girl. Whether shouting "muskrat" or "sweets", Neil adored her. Neil loved to talk about Lindsey's high school volleyball career, making sure we all knew Linds was the first freshman to make varsity in seven years.

Nicknames are a large part of Neil's family, we'd often referred to Neil as 'Weatherman Jim' due to his love and accuracy for weather. He would have liked to pursue a career in meteorology but he said his 'head was the size of a microwave.' Neil loved to reminisce about his high school and college days and we loved to brag about our bro being the best three point shooter in Berkshire county! Neil was our protector and constantly worried about his sisters. Always asking us if we had enough money for gas and making sure we knew he loved us. He did and we knew it. When Neil looked in the mirror, he'd say 'I can't wait for tomorrow.' And without fail, one of us would ask 'Why? What's tomorrow?' His answer... 'I get better looking everyday.'

His charm, his humor and his spirit will live on for eternity and beyond and his presence will be greatly missed.

Aside from his beloved children, his wife Sara B, his mother and three sisters, Neil leaves eight nieces; Ivey Ann, Mabel & Emily Mueller, Laura & Abigail Williams, Ella Edwards, Emma Katherine Beck, Lily Brown and his grandniece June Ivey Wolff and four nephews; Rayford Mueller, Christian Brown, Drake Beck and Luke Edwards. Cousins, Mara Moskowitz, Carrie (Richard) Herrington, Ayren (Paul) Pfeifer, his only male cousin, his main man, Jordan (Nicole) Moskowitz, Brooks Anne (Shawn) Burdick, Ashli (Peter) Stazsko. He has thirteen first cousins on his dad's side who he loved dearly but let's face it, that's a lot of names to list.

Neil is preceded in death by his father, Arthur J. Ivey (Diamond Jim), both paternal and maternal grandparents, and cousin Curtis.

On behalf of Neil, we would like to thank Fairview Hospital ER Department; Dr. Elliot & Dr. Codinii, Fairview Commons, Hospice of the Berkshires, Derek Scammahorn at Commonwealth Collaborative, Birches Roy Funeral Home, Teva & Peter Smith and Neil's best biatches Murn dogger and Kee. You have all made Neil's journey to the other side special and bearable.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Housy Hoops in honor of Neil R. Ivey through Birches Roy Funeral Home.

A wake will be held from 3pm - 6pm on Tuesday, August 26th at Birches Roy in Great Barrington. A celebration of life for Neil will be held in Great Barrington at Bogie's at noon Wednesday August 27th, 2025. Condolences may be made through birchesroyfuneralservices.com.