Joe Neary Memorial Foundation

Biography

 

Joseph Thomas Neary was the second born and first son to Joseph and Charlotte Neary on March 12, 1935 in Queens, New York. The family grew to six; three sons and three daughters. They were a poor Irish Catholic family, born and raised in New York and they relied on the kindness of the church to assist them. They resided next to and attended St. Martin of Tours Elementary School, across from the church.

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Joseph was, at a young age, interested in serving his church. He was an altar boy and served at the 6:00 a.m. Mass every day. He was also a boy scout. He attended Bishop Laughlin Boys High School in Brooklyn, New York. During those years he did a variety of charitable works including visiting the St. Albans Veteran Hospital in Queens, New York and taking some of the patients to Mass on Sunday.

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His mother left the family when he was 15 years old. His father was an alcoholic. A younger brother had epilepsy. As Joseph grew into manhood, his concern for his family was most important to him. He and his older sister Bernadette raised their younger siblings and were always there for them.

Joseph entered the Army just after the Korean War and was sent to Korea on active duty. While in the service, he sent home tuition for his younger sister to attend Catholic High School. He escorted all three of his sisters into marriage, but he himself decided to live a single life and care for his father and younger brother and assist them through much adversity.

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He finally met his soul mate, Miss Barbara Krueger, and was married at the age of 49. He continued his charitable works, which included helping build a homeless shelter in Peekskill, New York and assisting the veterans form a softball team and bowling league. He gave every spare moment to others-friends and strangers alike. His legacy of helping others has been passed on to many nieces, nephews and children of his friends. He was an inspiration to all with whom he came in contact and he will live forever in the hearts of those who were lucky enough to know and love him.

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In his professional career, Joe became a marketing executive in the car rental business and it was in this capacity that he joined the New York SKÅL Club in 1974. [SKÅL INTERNATIONAL is an international association of travel and tourism executives.] As was his nature, he quickly became involved and ascended to the position of President of the New York Club in 1979. He continued to stay active and in 1982 he was elected to the National SKÅL Committee Board of Directors representing Region I, one of six national regions. He progressed through the chairs of office to become National President in 1988 and then was elected as the International SKÅL Councillor representing the United States SKÅL Committee on the International Council. Joe had been a strong supporter for Colombo to host the 51st SKÅL Congress and it was in his role as Councillor that he was planning to attend.

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Joe passed away suddenly in the garden of his home in Peekskill, New York, on October 8, 1990 just 18 days before he would have left to attend the Colombo Congress.