Obituary of John "Jack" Thomas Neary, Glace Bay

It is with broken hearts that the family of John “Jack” Thomas Neary, age 84 announce his peaceful passing at home, surrounded by his loving family on August 12, 2024.

Growing up on Lower Main Street in Glace Bay, Jack was the son of the late Phillip and Viola (Marsh) Neary. He attended St. Anne’s school and was a member of St. Anne’s Parish, where he was an altar server. In his youth he spent many hours at the Glace Bay Miners Forum where he learned the ice making trade. After studying and earning his certification for Stationary Engineering in Refrigeration, he went on to spend twenty-five years as the Chief Operator and Manager of the Glace Bay Miners Forum. During this same time, he also served as a volunteer firefighter with the Glace Bay Volunteer Fire Department. With his smiling eyes and friendly demeanor, Dad formed many lasting relationships with those he encountered and worked with.

After his application to the fire service was accepted in 1961, his dedicated work ethic enabled him to climb the ranks and take on the elected positions of Fire/Police (1963), Lieutenant Ladder Co. (1969), Deputy Fire Chief (1974) and Fire Chief (1984), a role he served with pride. With the amalgamation of the fire departments in the CBRM, Dad retired from his role as Fire Chief in Glace Bay in 1995 and became the Fire Prevention Manager and Deputy Fire Chief of the CBRM. He later moved into the position of Fire Chief/Operations Manager of the CBRM, from which he retired in 2004. He was also involved with many community and school programs aimed to educate others on the importance of fire prevention.

Along with his dedication to the fire service, Dad was a devoted family man, which was his greatest and most treasured role. He was a loving husband to his wife Anne (McNeil) Neary and a devoted father to his seven children, Johna (Redmond), Terry (Joanne), Todd (Jackie), Andy (Christal), Sean (Abbie) and Erin (David). He is predeceased by his eldest son, Joey. He was also a beloved Grampy to Sarah, Jacquelynn, Nathan, Curtis, Caitlin, Courtney, Vanessa, Michael, John Alex, Bridget and Maria, and to his great grandchildren Caleb and Liam. He will also be missed by his many nieces and nephews, whom he adored. Aside from his parents and eldest son, Jack was also predeceased by his three sisters Evangeline, Betty and Alice and his brother, Pat.

The family would like to extend special thanks to the Palliative Care team, the V.O.N. and the Homecare workers that tended to Dad so diligently during his time of illness.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Dad’s memory can be made to the Atlantic Burn Camp or to a charity of one’s choice.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 18th, from 2-4, 7-9 pm in V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 16 Reserve Street, Glace Bay.

The funeral mass will be celebrated on Monday, August 19th at 10 am in St. Anne’s Church followed by interment in Holy Cross Cemetery, Glace Bay. Fr. Macleen Anyanwu presiding with Fr. Norman MacPhee concelebrating. A reception will be held at the Glace Bay Fire Hall.

On line condolences to the family can be expressed at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca

St. Florian, Patron Saint of Firefighters, Protect Us.

Keep us safe day and night; give us courage, strength and might.