Neil Brabec

March 29, 1958 - March 6, 2024

Neil Thomas Brabec, 65, passed away peacefully on March 6, 2024 in Newport, Oregon. Born on March 29, 1958 in Denver, Colorado, Neil was preceded in death by his parents Lyle and Frances, and his brother, Mark. Neil was a loving husband and will be dearly missed by his spouse (John) Kip Smiley and siblings Scott, Terry (Cole), Paul, Joel, Kyle, Lori, Danna (Sellers), Jerelyn (Strabala) and many other loving relatives and friends. Neil obtained Paralegal and Business Administration Degrees and worked primarily in the legal field as a Bailiff, Paralegal and Paralegal Manager. In 2002, when Kip developed a chronic illness disability, Neil chose to assume his primary home care. In 2003, they moved near Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado and, subsequently, to a small Oregon coastal town in 2013. While living next to the ocean and in the mountains, Neil enjoyed long walks accompanied by at least one fostered or rescued canine friend. His creativity fueled many hobbies, including gardening, sketching, creating, as well as crafting gifts and cooking for friends and other loved ones. Of all that he did, his biggest joy was everything musical, especially singing. Neil was also a lifelong fan of theater and he checked off a bucket list item when, in his early sixties, his passion moved from the house side to the stage side. He was in the cast of three locally produced plays before becoming ill. Neil's wish for a green funeral, a sustainable alternative to burial or cremation, was honored and underway. At completion, information for memorial services taking place in Newport, Oregon and Denver, Colorado will be provided here. In lieu of flowers, consider donations to the Oregon Coast Council for the Arts (occa@coastarts.org), Oregon Dachshund Rescue Inc (odr-inc.org), Apso Rescue (apsorescuecolorado.org), or your favorite charity organizations that promote the arts or rescue animals.