Obituary of Neil A. Baverstock

Wayland – Slaithwaite, West Yorkshire, UK – Neil Andrew Baverstock, 53 years of age, passed away Friday afternoon, January 27, 2023 at Highland Hospital after a long illness. Neil was born October 31, 1969 the son of Anthony and Margaret (Bell) Baverstock. Neil and Laurie Morsch were married October 13, 2005 in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK. Neil’s education was prolific and his lifelong love of learning endless. He attended the prestigious Millfield School in Somerset, England from the ages of 16-18 on an academic and sports scholarship for football (soccer) and cricket. He then attended Phillips Academy, Andover, MA on sponsorship from Harvard University. In 1988 he attended the University of Leeds to study Astro Physics. Neil was scouted for soccer and offered a full scholarship to attend the University of Hartford, CT where he received a Master’s Degree in 1995 in Economics from the Barney School of Business and Public Administration. He then briefly undertook law studies at Loyola University in Los Angeles. His employment career was centered around data analytics in the international arena and was cut short due to his ongoing health problems. Neil’s love of sports and his accomplishments were astounding as well. He opened the batting for Yorkshire boys at under 15, (the equivalent of being selected as quarterback for the Buffalo Bills). While at Millfield School he won the All England Football (soccer) National Schools Championship and also played in their First Eleven Cricket Team. He captained Huddersfield Town School Boys both as a goalkeeper and center forward. He played soccer (football) at the University of Hartford winning the 1991 and 1992 North Atlantic Conference Championship and played in the Sweet 16 round of the 1991 NCAA Men’s College Soccer Tournament. He loved his hometown Football Club, Huddersfield Town – one of only 4 teams to have won the English Premiership of Old Division I, 3 years running. The other being Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal. Another accomplishment for Neil was running in the 2010 London Marathon. Neil’s other hobbies included reading and writing. He authored a book titled “Back in the Game” – the chronicles of one lapsed football fan’s (soccer) return to life and the “Game” in England, after a decade of living in the land of soccer. He also wrote many poems, fiction and non-fiction pieces. He loved coaching youth soccer in both Wayland and Naples passing on his lifelong love of soccer (football) to others. He would shovel his back yard and put flood lights up so his son could practice year round! Golf was also favorite of his, both in playing and then watching as his ill health progressed. Neil’s zest for learning and sports made him competitive. He did not like games of chance because of the lack of skill and knowledge needed. A defeat at Jeopardy was unheard of against Neil nor was a goal scored against him was a common feat! Neil was pre-deceased by his father and mother in law, Carl and Lee Morsch. He is survived by wife Laurie Baverstock of Wayland; his son George of Wayland; his parents, Anthony Alderson Baverstock and Margaret Patricia Baverstock of Slaithwaite, West Yorkshire; his brother Paul Baverstock (Justin Kitson) of Harrogate, North Yorkshire and his sister Debra Baverstock of Slaithwaite, West Yorkshire; his nieces Cecilia and Olivia Baverstock; along with brothers and sisters in law; and other nieces and nephews within his extended family here in the United States. Neil’s family and friends are invited to his funeral service at 11am Saturday at St. George-Forsythe Funeral Home, 109 West Naples St. Wayland. Immediately following the funeral service Neil’s celebration will continue with food and fellowship at Palmer’s Last Stop on Main St., Wayland. Contributions in memory of Neil A. Baverstock may be made to Vincent House, 310 Second Ave., Wayland, NY 14572. Neil’s funeral service will be live streamed at https://youtube.com/live/uAIJIRnOTv8?feature=share