Neil Desai 1988-2008 RIP
Date posted: 20 Sep 2008
It is with great sadness that we hear of the sudden and tragic death of Neil Desai
There will be a memorial for Neil on Saturday 8th November at 6pm at Tiffin Boys School in Kingston.
Neil was extremley friendly and very well repsected by everyone around him on and off the squash courts. He was full of energy always wanting to compete to the best of his abilities.
He worked hard with both his studies and on court. Neil was a bright young lad who had time for everyone and his enthusiam and love of life was embraced by all that met him.
The gentle giant of squash who had a big heart will be truely missed by one and all.
Our hearts and thoughts are with his family.
Neil Desai
ALWAYS SMILING
Always smiling has to be the way we will all remember Neil. It just sums up his complete personality.
When I first heard the news I hoped beyond hope that someone would just say it’s not true.
I have known Neil throughout my junior squash career and beyond. We played in the Surrey junior squad and more recently regularly trained together. He was just a thoroughly nice guy. It’s a crime that such a good friend can be taken from us when he has given so much and had so much more to give. It always seems to be the good guys that get taken from us.
My thoughts go out to his family and many, many friends.
Jamie Mathews
'I heard the sad tragic news on Sunday about Neil and could not believe it. The last time I saw Neil was up in Nottingham at The Park when I was attending a England Squash Team Meeting. We were both surprised to see each other outside of Surrey and I had a long chat with him. He was really enjoying Uni life and still very much enjoying his squash. He was asking about Alex, Joe and also remembered my son Chris, it was just so nice to chat to him.
I cannot get my head around how someone so young, fit and healthy can be taken so quickly and suddenly. If you have an address of his parents I would like to drop them a line. I do not know them but would like to send them a card just to say what a lovely guy Neil was. The picture you attached of Neil is just how he was all the time, always smiling.
I am sure everyone who knew Neil on and off the court will be in a state of shock, he was such a down to earth, happy, friendly guy who would always give you the time of day, its tragic that he has been taken at such a young age.'
Barbara Peddy
England Squash