On Sunday, January 30th, 2022, NEIL JAMES MAZUREK passed away peacefully, while surrounded by his loving family, at the age of 31.
Neil and his identical twin brother, Brian, were born on April 6, 1990, in Lethbridge, Alberta to Claire and Kas Mazurek. Neil attended Catholic Central High School and received a Culinary Diploma from Lethbridge College. He was a gifted chef who specialized in modern North American Cuisine, eventually earning his Red Seal certification. Neil worked at The View and most recently, at The Lethbridge Golf and Country Club.
In addition to his cooking, Neil was very passionate about music. He was an incredibly talented guitarist, singer, and original song writer. Whether in a concert hall or around a campfire he loved to perform for family and friends. Neil and Brian formed a band called The Dregs and performed throughout Southern Alberta for several years. He also enjoyed travelling across North America to watch and meet some of his favourite bands, especially The Mountain Goats, on tour.
In recent years, Neil and his brother, Brian were on Team Carnage, a paintball team that participated in tournaments throughout Alberta. They also enjoyed repairing, modifying, and testing their paintball guns together at the expense of their mother’s basement and backyard fence.
Neil loved to be by water and spent many happy summers as a child with his brothers and cousins at Victoria Beach, Manitoba. Victoria Beach always held a special place in his heart. He also enjoyed traveling to Cuba and Mexico and often said “I like to feel the sun on my skin, the sand under my feet and hear the sounds of the ocean”. His love of being near the water extended to fishing and his favourite spot to spend a morning or afternoon was the pier at Victoria Beach.
Neil was an avid poet who shared his wonderful poetry online. He was an advocate of animal welfare and deeply loved his cats, especially his domestic long hair cat Monters. Neil was also a passionate fan of Boston sport teams, in particular the Red Sox.
Neil was known for his warm and infectious smile, great sense of humor, amazing impressions, funny tiktok videos, and his genuine and compassionate spirit. He was always willing to help others and give of himself. Last November, Neil participated in the Movember campaign to raise funds for men’s mental health. Neil was a kind and loving son, brother, uncle, and friend. He has touched many lives and left his mark on those who knew him. We know that his strong, beautiful spirit will live on in us.
Neil is survived by his father Kas, mother Claire, stepfather Philip, three brothers Brian, Jeff, and Ken (wife Laura and son Logan – Neil was Logan’s godfather) as well as numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
The family wishes to thank the excellent doctors and nurses of Chinook Regional Hospital ICU and the staff of Unit 4B for their compassionate care of Neil.
In honour of Neil’s passion for music, cooking and animals, the family has asked that a donation be made to a charity of your choice in his name. There will be a private family service. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Mazurek Neil James April 06 1990..
Death notice for the town of: Lethbridge, Province: Alberta