Longtime Butler volunteer Joseph Neigh remembered for his kindness
A testament to Joseph E. Neigh’s kindness is the nickname given to him by a 10-year-old boy at Butler Catholic School, where the retired plumbing contractor was known as a longtime volunteer until his death on Sunday, Feb. 25, at age 84.
A Rotarian, former partner at Neigh Brothers Plumbing and volunteer at a number of organizations in Butler, Neigh was simply referred to as “Nice Guy Joe Neigh” by Butler Catholic advisory board member and Martin Funeral Home director Tom Martin’s son, Sean.
“Joe would just smile and always had nice things to say,” Martin said. “He could light up a room with his sense of humor that was always funny. The thing is, Joe was just there for everybody and anybody, and everybody knew they could count on Joe.”
According to Martin, Neigh spoke about his family “all the time.” He and his wife, Judith, came as a team.
“He was just always so proud of his kids and grandchildren,” Martin said.
“He was not just a volunteer,” he said. “(Neigh) was so community-oriented that he volunteered everywhere. Everywhere he went, he was always willing to lend a hand, and (Butler Catholic School) was just another important part of his life.”
Elizabeth Short, executive director of the Butler YWCA, said she will miss Neigh’s unexpected visits to her office, where he would pop in and say hello.
“We would chat, and it would just make my day,” Short said. “He would always have a story to share. We would joke around and have a laugh, and it would brighten my entire day.”
“We’ll miss his stories, his smiles and the time we all got to spend with him more than we could have imagined,” she said.
When Short started working at the YWCA in 2018, she said Neigh, who had worked in the building for decades and then continued on as a longtime volunteer, took her “under his wing.”
“He knew more about this building than anyone else,” she said. “He often joked, ‘I come with the building,’ and it was true.”
Short said Neigh “shepherded the organization through multiple renovations.” She noted that Neigh always shared his expertise with others and was always there to help.
“To have somebody that open and willing to help you, you don’t find that very often,” she said.
“That’s the thing about Joe,” Short said. “He wasn’t the big, grand gesture type. He was the type of person to be with you through all the small moments. He did so much in the community and was never the one out in front, seeking praise. He was the one in the background just getting things done.”
Through his work in the Rotary, and as a volunteer at multiple organizations in Butler, Short said he helped everyone quietly and generously. His death leaves a void, she said.
“He was an unbelievable person and always there to help,” said Millie Pinkerton, longtime Rotarian. “In the community, he was always at Butler Catholic doing something. He was the same way at the YWCA. He never quit. Butler’s going to miss him.”
