Nick Nell – 1977-2013 • Ray Nell – 1982-2013
Thirty-five-year-old Nicholas Xavier Nell of Scotts Valley, and 30-year-old Raymond Jacob Nell of Aptos, drowned in Lexington Reservoir near Highway 17 as a result of their canoe turning over in windy conditions, according to the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office. About 1 p.m. Sunday May 5, Santa Clara County deputies received a 911 call concerning a capsized canoe about 200 feet from shore near the Los Gatos Rowing Club boathouse.
Sixteen-year-old and 25-year-old cousins of the two brothers, who also were in the canoe, were able to swim ashore to safety. The rescue team found Nicholas Nell by 2 p.m. in about 8-10 feet of water approximately 20 feet from shore. At about 5 p.m., the younger brother Raymond Nell was found in 38 feet of water about 190 feet from shore. None of the four occupants of the canoe were wearing life jackets.
Nick, as his friends called him, was married to Renee Goodrich for 11 years and worked as an iTunes corrections manager. Ray was a mentor at an Apple retail store in Monterey. He graduated from San Lorenzo Valley High School and CSU, Monterey Bay with a degree in education.
Nick was born in the East Bay city of Newark in 1977 and Ray was born five years later in Felton. They attended Popper-Keizer School, now Spring Hill School, in Santa Cruz. Nick graduated from York School in Monterey and the University of California at Davis. He also was a member of Vintage Faith Church in Santa Cruz.
Ray was not married but is survived by his “soul mate” Amelia Urban. He collaborated on a website that contained poetry and photos at friendzwithwordz.wordpress.com.
The brothers are survived by their sister Meggie Nell, another brother Ben Nell, and parents Fernando Nell of Scotts Valley and Diane Nell of Felton.
Memorial Events
A viewing for Nicholas and Raymond Nell will take place 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 10 at Santa Cruz Memorial Mortuary, 1927 Ocean St. Extension in Santa Cruz.
A service will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, May 11 at Santa Cruz Bible Church, 440 Frederick St. in Santa Cruz. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Vintage Faith Church at www.vintagechurch.org/onlinegiving.