Neil David Kirsch, 36, of Paxton died on Saturday, February 11, 2012 at Saint Vincent Hospital, Worcester. He was born in Worcester on March 18, 1975, was raised in Auburn, and lived the last 20 years of his life in Paxton.

Neil graduated from the Bancroft School in Worcester where he was the captain of the soccer team in addition to playing basketball and baseball. He went on to study Business Management at Washington University in St. Louis. He was a member of the Rufus Putnam Lodge of Masons in Rutland.

The people closest to him described him as a sweet, caring, honest, and a genuine man. He was one of the biggest followers of Boston sports and was also an avid baseball card collector. He will be most fondly remembered for the love he shared with his family and his passion for animals. His overall goodness will live on with those who knew him best.

He is survived and will be greatly missed by his parents, Robert M. and Carole A. (Davis) Kirsch of Paxton; his two sisters, Jaime Kirsch Sens of Auburn and Ashley Kirsch Quates of N. Quincy; two nieces and a nephew, Lexi, Sadie and Owen Sens; and his uncle, Warren Davis of Framingham. Neil was predeceased by his grandparents, Irving and Roberta Kirsch of Worcester and Leo and Evelyn Davis of Wellesley.

A funeral Mass celebrating Neil’s life will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, February 14, at St. Mary’s Church, 114 Princeton Street, Jefferson. Entombment will follow at Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. A reception will immediately follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Second Chance Animal Shelter, Inc., P.O. Box 136, East Brookfield, MA 01515.