Neil Pyne Blackington

Toss a rock into a body of water and it will create countless ripples of impact. Neil Pyne Blackington, 68, of Boston, Massachusetts, was a "rock." The ripples of his life as a husband, father, and First Responder will continue to impact those he knew and many he will never meet because of his drive to aid, train, and protect others.

Neil passed away in the early hours of Tuesday, February 7, 2023, in Columbia, Missouri, away from his beloved city of Boston. He was born on November 5, 1954, in Boston, Massachusetts, to Chandler and Dorcas Blackington, who preceded him in death. He graduated from Concord Carlisle High School in 1973 and went on to a life dedicated to public safety and service. After he retired from Boston EMS in 2017, he and his wife, Angela Blackington, moved to Poland, Maine. A short time later, he was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia, a disease whose grasp quickly robbed him of retirement travel, volunteer ski patrol in the mountains of Maine, and growing old with his family. Neil and Angela relocated to Missouri to be near her family for his support and care.

Neil's public safety career began in high school serving at the First Aid Station for Walden Pond in Concord, MA. His first ambulance job was with Corcoran Ambulance Service. Neil transitioned to a career in Public Safety for the next 40 years. Neil's father, Chandler, was a role model of sacrifice and service to his son. The father and son duo served as American Red Cross Volunteers and Volunteer firefighters in Vinalhaven, where he worked alongside the Vinalhaven Ambulance Service.

Neil's primary concentration and contribution as a public service worker were his 38+ years with the City of Boston's Emergency Medical Service. After a lifelong commitment to the Brown and Gold, Neil retired in 2017 as Deputy Superintendent for Boston EMS. In addition to his regular duties, Deputy Superintendent Blackington served as the Aero-Medical Officer for the International Olympic Committee at the XXI Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, BC (2010), and XIX Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City, UT (2002). Neil also performed duties at numerous Boston celebrations, which included Superbowl Parades for the New England Patriots (2002, 2004, 2005, 2015, 2017), the World Series Parade for the Boston Red Sox (2004), and the Boston Bruins Stanley Cup Parade (2011). Neil also served as the Lead Emergency Medical System Liaison Officer to the United States Secret Service Multi Agency Command Center during the Democratic Party National Convention in 2004.

Neil was a consummate learner dedicated to receiving training and passing along his knowledge as a certified instructor. He presented at international, national, state, and regional EMS and law enforcement conferences in various disciplines. His mastery in multiple areas allowed him to lend his voice to different papers, authorships, and presentations. He was an official reviewer of Homeland Security-Principals and Practice of Terrorism Response, American College of Emergency Physicians Tactical Medical Essentials, American College of Orthopedic Surgeons Behavioral Emergencies and Crisis, National Ski Patrol Outdoor Emergency Care textbook, 5th edition. He also published writings in many other Police, EMS, and Homeland Security and trade magazines.

The International Police Mountain Bike Association was extended family for Neil. He served as a certified instructor, a member of the Board of Directors, and Vice President of the Association from 2008-2010. He was presented with the IPMBA's Paul J. Sullivan Award for Best Overall Student in 2000. He utilized his knowledge to establish the Boston EMS Bike Team and served as its Technical Advisor.

As a zone commander during the Boston Marathon in 2013, Deputy Superintendent Blackington was onsite at the tragic Boston Marathon Bombing. In 2014, dressed in full uniform before the International Police Mountain Bike Association, Neil delivered the keynote address about the Boston Marathon Bombings, emphasizing the Boston EMS bike response.

On the slopes, Neil served as part of the National Ski Patrol. In Massachusetts, he was part of the ski patrol at Nashoba Valley, Crotchet Mountain, Bradford, and the Blue Hills Ski Area. Neil was a nationally certified instructor for Outdoor Emergency Care with various Ski Patrol programs.

Neil served as an Adjunct Faculty Member and Consultant for the New Britain, CT Emergency Medical Services. Neil's relationship with New Britain EMS began in 1999 when he stepped into a role to develop a big brother-little brother relationship between Boston EMS and New Britain's EMS. He quickly became a highly regarded colleague to the entire New Britain organization. His knowledge and Human Resource skills in reading people helped them learn in a non-threatening manner. Bruce Baxter of the New Britain EMS said, "He endeared himself as a trusted colleague with his master of knowledge, dry sense of humor, and judicious use of body language to communicate select points. Our team appreciated that Neil was down-to-earth, professional, inquisitive, humble, balanced, and a fair leader. He was a quiet guy who did his job without fanfare, shied away from the media, gave credit where credit was due, and a man who truly cared when talking to a person."

Neil was a member of the International Tactical Emergency Medical Services Association and provided knowledge as an instructor, evaluator, and consultant. Neil and Angela volunteered their time to plan and facilitate multiple events. They enjoyed meeting teams from around the world and gathering with them each year to reconnect. Neil met Angela at an APCO sponsored Advanced Fire Dispatcher Instructor course and it was their passion to serve together where their skill sets could be used.

When Neil was not working or volunteering, he enjoyed traveling, photography, and his beloved Vinalhaven Island, where he spent every summer as a child. He enjoyed introducing his family to the island and sharing it with his children every summer. He always checked in with the Vinalhaven Fire & Rescue to pick up a pager and respond to calls on vacation. He loved the local camaraderie of folks “from away” assisting those who handled the scene year-round. He helped with many outdoor events for Eldercare, his Pleasant River Chapel, and for many years participated or guided participants in the Biathlon “Around the Island” raising funds for the Emergency Service Teams. Most of all, he loved connecting with people at the restaurants and diners where cell service didn’t interrupt his meals.

Neil and Angela loved searching for hidden gold at barn sales, yard sales, and the random roadside sale that caught their eye. They dreamed of doing the longest yard sale excursion from Michigan down to Alabama when he retired from Boston EMS. They often laughed about the size of the truck they would need to rent for the treasures they would find. Neil enjoyed traveling for work and pleasure.

Neil is survived by his wife Angela Blackington, former wife Elizabeth Friedlander, daughter Lauren Blackington and husband Keegan Hellweg, son Jordan Blackington and fiance Emmery Bates, and daughter Jordawn Moses. He also leaves behind three granddaughters, Amelia Hellweg, Nina Hellweg, and Milly Moses. He is predeceased by his parents Chandler and Dorcas Blackington.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations for the Vinalhaven Ambulance Service in Neil’s honor. A Go-Fund Me link has been established: https://gofund.me/d4c87045 or checks can be directed to Vinalhaven Ambulance Service, 19 Washington School Road, Vinalhaven, ME 04863.