Obituary of John Patrick Neary, Jr.

John P. Neary Jr. (Age 75) - Better known as "Jack" to all he knows, he has never met a stranger. Chances are, you are known to him as "Slime" or countless other questionable terms of endearment bestowed on those he admires. His humor, although sometimes embarrassing and often unfiltered, is a welcome addition to any gathering of family, friends or soon-to-be friends.

Jack was born September 7, 1945 in Brooklyn, NY where he forged his first friendships with a group of guys who called themselves "The Wombats." They were a very tough gang – or at least that's what they told us. Jack roamed the halls of St. Vincent Ferrer with some of these rebels until 8th grade. These lifelong friendships were cherished and brought him a lot of joy throughout the years.

After graduating high school from Brooklyn Prep, Jack worked at the 1964 New York World's Fair. There he met celebrities and took great pleasure in teasing and joking with fair patrons at the exhibits where he was assigned to work. The consummate storyteller, he always aspired to pen an autobiography titled "Gee, I'm swell" to recount his tall tales from this experience. At a minimum, he probably should have been fired, possibly arrested for mischief, but his shenanigans at the World's Fair make for great storytelling. Any one of these stories could quickly bring tears to your eyes from laughing so hard.

Jack attended Fordham University and graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1968. He worked for Lever Brothers for a time before joining the New York City Police Department.

Retiring as an NYPD sergeant, Jack bravely served the community in several precincts in his tenure, including the 107th precinct (Flushing) and the 71st precinct (Brooklyn). Upon promotion to sergeant he worked in the Organized Crime Control Bureau (OCCB). This was a difficult and stressful job, which Jack would lighten with humor, gathering more stories of ridiculous pranks and jokes carried out on unsuspecting rookies and innocent bystanders throughout the years which today are the stuff of legend. In recent years, he would reminisce and tell these stories to anyone who would listen, usually laughing harder than anyone else in the process. He recently reconnected with a network of his brothers in blue, and they served as a wonderful source of encouragement and prayer support in his final months.

As a friend of Bill W. for 38 years, 1 month and 21 days, Jack dedicated his time to supporting others in their journey to sobriety. The heartfelt encouragement and love from this community throughout his illness speaks volumes to the impact he had in his lifetime. The feeling was mutual. He would encourage you to continue to take it "one day at a time."

A lifelong sports enthusiast, Jack coached Little League for his sons in the 1980's and more recently coached softball for his granddaughter. An avid but impatient golfer, Jack took the opportunity to visit the golf course whenever he could. He had a love-hate relationship with the NY Giants (NFL), and followed the MLB Giants as a diehard fan despite their move from New York to San Francisco in 1958.

Jack passed peacefully at home on March 11, 2021, surrounded by his family after a courageous 10-month battle with lung cancer and complications from pneumonia. He fought hard and kept his sense of humor throughout, joking with nurses and doctors at Huntington Hospital and NYU Langone Cancer Center. We'd like to thank all the caregivers who looked after him for us when we could not, especially Virginia Tarbox for whom we are eternally grateful.

This year Jack would have celebrated 50 years of marriage to the love of his life, Mary. Together, they created a home for themselves in Northport and raised three children: Kate (Matt Powell) of Franklin, TN, John (Nicole) of Commack, NY, and Dennis (Vicki) of Levittown, NY. He adored his three beautiful granddaughters, Emma, Brooke, and Rosaria.

He is also survived by his beloved brother Gerard Neary, his brothers- and sisters-in-law, Jane Johnson, James (Holly) Grossman, Charles (Eleonora) Lazzari, Gaston (Graciela) Lazzari, Luis (Fawn) Lazzari, Morella Lazzari and Joanna Lazzari, his nieces, nephews, and cousins, as well as countless friends whom he considered family.

He is predeceased by his parents Helen and John P. Neary Sr., his sister Sharon Neary, his mother-in-law Lorraine Grossman, father-in-law John Grossman, stepmother-in-law Leonor Lazzari Grossman, and his brothers-in-law Paul Johnson and Jack Grossman.

Visitation will take place on Sunday, March 14, 2021 at Nolan Funeral Home from 2-5 p.m. and 7- 9 p.m. and the funeral mass will occur at 10 a.m. on March 15 at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Nashville (https://rmhcnashville.com/donate/) .

Reposing:

Nolan Funeral Home

5 Laurel Avenue

Northport, NY 11768

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Funeral Mass:

Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Catholic Church

53 Prospect Road

Centerport, NY 11721

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