Patrick W. Neary

Patrick William Neary, 88, of Piscataway, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 22nd, 2019 at his home. Born in Shamokin, PA, he is the son of the late Mary and Joseph Neary.

Patrick Neary, the original Principal of Parsons School, opened the building in September ,1966.  He always jokes that he came with the building. But more than that, he set the tone for what Parsons School was to be: a place that loved children and a place of respect. It was also a place where everything was inventoried each year both in September and again in June. Mr. Neary could always put his hand on anything you needed, and always knew exactly what needed to be ordered for the following year.

He had a hand in selecting some of the staff and its original Secretary, Mary Leone. Back then Parsons was a K-6 school with only two classes per grade level.

Neary grew up as one of 12 siblings in the coal mining region of Pennsylvania. Although his father was a school principal, he originally worked with the Pennsylvania Railroad. When he returned from his service in the Army, he found that job gone and began planning for a new career. He enrolled in Bloomsburg State Teacher’s College and taught science for eight years after graduation. He took graduate courses at Montclair State College and got his degree just as the building on Hollywood Street was preparing to open.  He remained Principal at Parsons for the next 27 years until his retirement in 1993. Mr. Neary loved to return to the North Brunswick Schools during Read Across America week every year to read “Grandpa’s Slippers” to the children at various schools.He loved spending his time playing golf, gardening and tinkering with antique clocks.

Patrick is survived by his loving nieces and nephews and many dear friends.  He was predeceased by his wife Shirley, who was the love of his life.  Pat was the last of the Neary brothers and sisters having been predeceased by his sisters Margaret Neary, Marie O'Day, Rita Golden and Janet Deitrich and his brothers Joseph, Nicholas (Jim), Thomas, Michael, Walter, Timothy and Daniel. All who knew and loved Pat will miss him dearly.

There will be a visitation on Tuesday; October 29th from 4-9PM at the Sheenan Funeral Home, 233 Dunellen Ave. Dunellen, NJ 08812. Cremation will be private.

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