By Cathy Miller

Neil Cody, an Asbury resident since 1978, was born and raised in High Bridge. (Some might say that he, his brothers and his friends raised HELL in High Bridge!)

He always had a mind for motors and mechanical things, and it was in sixth grade, when his math teacher, Roger Sliker, directed his attention to cars. Since then, Neil’s motto has been, “If it has a motor and wheels, I’ll work on it!”

He recounted the first time, a few years later, he got mad and jumped in his car, “peeling off in town.” A small town has its own chain of communication, so by the time he returned home, his mom was waiting at the door. Neil smiled, explaining, “My mom was known for two things: her karate chop and her body slam.” Neil had many adventures in his 1967 Red Galaxie Convertible!

Neil and his brothers weren’t unknown to then High Bridge Chief of Police Joseph Lacey. “When something happened in town,” Neil recalled, “Joe came knocking at our door!”

Through high school, Neil fine-tuned his tough guy attitude, but was fortunate to have studied with some perceptive teachers. They recognized the innate intelligence of this kid, and capably lured it out of him…in assorted ways.

He graduated high school in 1974, then joined the Marine Corps for three years, two of which were spent working long days stationed in Naples and Sigonella, Italy. During that time, he savored three-day weekends in Rome, often staying with a family Neil and his buddies met on their very first excursion.

After the Marines, Neil worked for Agfa Graphics (formerly American Hoechst Corp.) in Branchburg, as an industrial mechanic. What did he do there for the next 40 years? Just this: “If it was broke, we fixed it!”

Later, he brought his extensive industrial mechanic skills to Borealis, in Rockport, retiring in December, 2019.

Neil and his wife Pam have been married 35 years and have three children – Nolan, Brynn, and Cornelius “Boo” Jr. Neil coached youth soccer during their kids’ school years. Over time, several Labrador retrievers have been part of the Cody family, and companions on Neil’s hunting excursions. Recently they adopted two gorgeous kittens, little girls named Black and Decker.

In retirement, Neil relishes time spent playing with his grandkids. Kai, 14, is very interested in assisting in Neil’s garage, especially working on his own four-wheeler. Raylan, 6, is a little young to show much enthusiasm for mechanics, but is very attentive as his grandfather adjusts his four-wheeler, which he’d really like to go faster than it does right now!

Neil enjoys golfing, particularly at Riverview Golf Course near Easton. He loves watching auto racing, in which he participated, too, until he hung up his racing suit in 1982. Not surprisingly, he restores old cars, currently working on a 1963-1/2 Ford Galaxie with a 406 engine and three deuces (two-barrel carburetors), and a 1969 Ford Mustang Fastback 428 Cobra Jet.

When he opens his garage door, it’s like a beacon inviting neighborhood (and beyond) friends to gather and talk cars, cats, politics and beyond, all while Neil works on his current project.