LAKEVILLE — Jack Neary, 63, of Groton, Vt., died peacefully at home surrounded by family on Jan. 26, 2009, after a courageous battle with cancer. His loving wife, Deborah Orelup, survives at home.
He was born June 8, 1945, in Eau Claire, Wisc., the son of the late Ellen and Barney Neary. He attended Regis High School and graduated in 1963. Jack then attended Alexian Brothers School of Nursing and graduated in 1966. He continued his education at Walter Reed General Hospital School of Anesthesia and graduated as a certified registered nurse anesthetist in 1970. Jack received his master’s degree in nurse anesthesia from the University of New England in 1998.
Jack served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps from 1969 to 1973 during the Vietnam War. After returning from a tour in Vietnam, he worked at Sharon Hospital in Sharon as a CRNA from 1973 to 1985. He moved to Vermont and became the director of the anesthesia department at Cottage Hospital in 1985 and worked there for the past 23 years.
During his tenure, he started the Cottage Hospital Pain Clinic, where he served and cared for many patients in northern New England. Pain management became a passion of Jack’s and, along with helping patients and educating other certified registered nurse anesthetists, became an important part of his professional life.
He became an adjunct clinical faculty member and an associate professor of the University of New England School of Anesthesia from 1997 to the present. Many students from the University of New England spent part of their clinical experience with Jack and his colleagues at Cottage Hospital. In 2002, Jack was one of the founding partners of Nurse Anesthesiology Pain Education Seminars.
Jack was a devoted and active member of many professional organizations and worked tirelessly for the education and political rights of certified registered nurse anesthetists and nurse practitioners. He was the recipient of many awards because of his devotion to his work and overall care for patients, including the AANA Alice Magaw Clinical Anesthesia Practitioner of the Year Award in 2000, the New Hampshire Nurse Practitioner of the Year Award in 2006, and the New Hampshire Nurse Practitioner Lifetime of Service Award in 2009.
Jack adored his family and loved spending time with them. He will be most remembered for his infectious smile, his sense of humor and the gentle and caring way he helped others. He loved and touched many lives both in his professional and personal life. He loved the outdoors and sports, especially golf and basketball.
In addition to his wife, Jack is survived by his daughter, Raydin Neary; his daughter, Kristen Neary, from his first marriage to Janet Neary, and son-in-law, Keith Marks, of Lakeville; two granddaughters, Josie and Tess; two sisters, Marilyn Neary of Bloomer, Wis., and Diane Molitor of North Muskegan, Mich., and her husband, Vern; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
In addition to his parents, Jack was predeceased by his granddaughter, Helen Grace Marks, and his brother-in-law, Bill Ryder.
Jack’s wishes were for no formal services. His ashes will be spread on his property in Vermont and family will be gathering privately in Michigan this summer.
In lieu of flowers, the family is setting up a scholarship fund. Send memorial donations in care of the Jack Neary Scholarship Fund to AANA, 222 S. Prospect, Park Ridge, IL 60068.
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