Neil J. Gaeta

NEIL J. GAETA Neil J. Gaeta, age 40, of Palm Beach Gardens, FL, passed away on Thursday, January 13, 2011. Neil's time with us was limited, and he will be fondly missed and remembered, but the impact he had on the lives of family and friends will continue to live on as his legacy to us. He was born in West Palm Beach, FL, on February 15, 1970, son of Barbara Gaeta and the late Louis A. Gaeta, Jr. A graduate of the Benjamin School in North Palm Beach, Neil attended Villanova University in Philadelphia, where he met his beloved wife, Kristen Todd - "I can't believe she said yes! It took some convincing, but she said yes." After being graduated in 1991, Neil returned to Palm Beach County and worked as a financial advisor at Merril Lynch, and then founded the telecommunications company, Omni Communications. Neil later joined his father in running Gaeta Development Corp and Fisher Gaeta Corp, two of the county's leading commercial and residential real estate development and brokerage firms. His honest and ethical approach to business was a practice instilled by his father which Neil carried with him each day and earned him the widespread respect of his peers and the reputation his family built in the community. Serving on numerous industry boards including the Business Development Board and Chamber of Commerce, Neil was very active in supporting local charity programs, civic organizations and foundations here in Palm Beach County. Outside of the birth of his three beautiful children, Neil celebrated his fondest moment when marrying his best friend, Kristen, in 1996. Avid Villanova Wildcat fans, Neil and Kristen shared a passion for life, love of their children and immeasurable fun with their friends and family. Neil credits Kristen with not only his success in life but with so much of the happiness life brought him through her. His passions were his family and friends, music, golf, hunting, fishing, skiing and spending time at their family farm in Oneonta, NY. Together with Barbara and Lou, he started the Louis A. Gaeta Scholarship Fund in 1991 to provide scholarships for area high school and college students. After his father's passing, his mother's passion for family continued to inspire love in everything Neil did. With a contagious sense of humor, Neil's love of life and laughter generated countless friendships. He was an instigator of happiness, of bringing people together to share in their lives. When he wasn't simply having fun with Kristen and the kids, he was hopelessly pursuing a mediocre-at-best golf game, watching bad movies in the Fletch genre, and enjoying the occasional drink with friends. We're not quite sure what we are going to do now to find someone to cook Neil's famous Italian sauce most everyone had the chance to enjoy. Neil is survived by his mother, Barbara; wife Kristen; daughter, Bella and sons Louie and Liam. He is now joyfully reunited with his brother Louis "Louie" A. Gaeta, who passed away in 1991, and his father, Lou, who joined the Lord and his son in 2008. Neil's soul is very much alive, and he will continue to watch and take pleasure in our lives. And to quote Neil's cinematic hero, Carl Spackler in Caddyshack, "I'd keep playing..." The family will receive friends for a Vigil Service from 4-6 PM, Monday, January 17, at Howard Price Funeral Home, 754 U.S. Highway One, North Palm Beach, with a Prayer Service to take place at 4:30 PM The Memorial Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church, 10970 Jack Nicklaus Drive, North Palm Beach on Tuesday, January 18 at 10:00 AM, with Father Art Venezia as Celebrant. Those planning an expression of sympathy, in lieu of flowers, are asked to consider contributions to the Louis A. Gaeta Scholarship Fund (5220 Hood Road, Suite 100, Palm Beach Gardens, 33418).