Neil J. Brassell Jr. was born on February 3rd, 1936 destined to make an impact. From that small corner of the Fairmount section of Philadelphia emerged a man who, with his passion and grace, would make a difference in all of the lives he touched. He would become a loving and gentle husband teaching us all about genuine love and loyalty, a caring father who nurtured 6 children instilling in them passion, wisdom and respect, a proud grandfather with gentle hugs, a brother who's example was respected and copied, an uncle who always had the answer, a nephew whose visits were anticipated with joy, a cousin who would always listen, a neighbor who would always lend an unsolicited hand, a friend with a warm smile and a kind word, a co-worker who brightened the days of many Local 690 members with a joke, an in-law who treated all as his own, a teammate who inspired and encouraged the entire game, and a coach who treated his Cardinal Dougherty, Roman Catholic and St. Anselm players as his own children teaching boys to become men and about life.