James Joseph Neary

James (“Jimmy”) Neary was born of humble means on September 14, 1930 in Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo, Ireland. Having emigrated to America at age 24, he rose to become a NYC legend from his famed restaurant, “Neary’s”, on East 57th Street. Jimmy began his career as a porter at the New York Athletic Club (NYAC) in 1954, where he later became the first former employee to become a member and was later honored as ‘Irishman of the Year’ in March 2013. He also worked as a bartender at P.J. Moriarty’s prior to opening Neary’s.

From its beginning on St. Patrick’s Day in 1967, Neary’s restaurant became a “go to” spot for the famous and well-known, including high-ranking politicians, religious leaders, television personalities, famed authors, sports icons and a cross section of NYC’s finest. Neary’s is one of the last of the old world NYC restaurants. Jimmy, always dapper in his dress, prided himself in maintaining a more formal and elegant environment at Neary’s. Sutton Place residents often referred to Jimmy as the best dressed man on 57th Street. He was also known for treating everyone with the same care and respect, from the neighbor next door to the President of the United States.

Jimmy insisted on his customers having the ultimate dining experience, which included sharing his countless stories, jokes and description of past experiences. Some of Jimmy’s favorites include: purchasing the building on East 57th Street in 1986; taking his dream trip with Mayor Michael Bloomberg to his hometown of Tubbercurry; having his famous lamb chops regularly mentioned by Kathie Lee Gifford on television; appearing as himself in over 25 books by the esteemed author, Mary Higgins Clark; receiving his 1986 and 1990 NY Giants Super Bowl rings from Tim Mara; and describing the history of his pocket watch, one of only two in the world, which was gifted to him by Colonel Anthony Story, General Douglas MacArthur’s private pilot, entitling the holder to a lifetime pass to Ebbets Field.

Part of the magic of Neary’s was Jimmy’s love of life, celebrating his Irish heritage, and his love of America, having served as a tank driver in the U.S. Army in 1956. On special occasions, including Jimmy’s “annual” surprise birthday party, customers would be entertained by song, music and Irish step dancing. Many of these moments are captured in a documentary entitled: “Neary’s: The Dream at the End of the Rainbow”.

Jimmy was always present at the restaurant. He greeted every customer with his warm, Irish welcome and his bigger-than-life smile. Jimmy created an environment where everyone felt at home and a part of the family, whether you were a regular or first-time visitor. Because of that, he had a large and loyal clientele, including some frequenting Neary’s for over 50+ years. Those same qualities engendered the loyalty of his staff, many of whom have been at the restaurant over 30, 40 and 50 years.

Jimmy’s successes in NYC would not have been possible without the love and support of his beautiful and devoted wife, Eileen (née Twomey), who was from The Ward, Co. Dublin, Ireland, and who was by his side for 40 years before she passed away in January 2007. They raised their four children, Patrick, Una, Ann Marie and Eileen, in Demarest, New Jersey, all of whom received a strong Catholic upbringing and education from grammar school through college. Both devout Catholics, Jimmy and Eileen were daily communicants. Jimmy, Eileen and family were parishioners at St. Joseph’s Parish in Demarest, New Jersey and the Society of African Missions in Tenafly, New Jersey, where Jimmy was a daily lector. Most recently, Jimmy was a parishioner at Holy Trinity Church in NYC. Jimmy and Eileen were both invested into the Eastern Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. In October 2019, Jimmy was promoted in rank to Knight Commander with Star.

When not in the restaurant, Jimmy enjoyed quality time with his extended family, which includes his daughter-in-law, Adriana (Neary), and sons-in-law, Chip (Bergwall), Tracy (Bowers) and Tom (Riggs), and his 8 adoring grandchildren, Briana, Sofia and Patrick (Neary), Ryan, Danny and Matthew (Bergwall), and Gavin and Christina (Bowers). He also loved spending time with the newest family member, Riley, his black Labrador. Jimmy’s sole surviving in-law, Veronica (née-Twomey) Lee, resides in North Reading, Massachusetts. He is also survived by 22 beloved nieces and nephews. Jimmy is pre-decreased by his parents, Patrick and Catherine (née Marren), his brothers, Monsignor Tom, John, Micael and Patrick, and his sister, Una Sheehan. He is also pre-deceased by his brothers-in-law, Brian Sheehan, Patrick Lee, Father Dermot Twomey, Patrick Twomey and Lawrence Barbour, and sisters-in-law, Mary (Fitzpatrick) Neary, Mary Neary, Maureen Suckling, Kathleen Barbour and Phyllis Twomey, and loving niece, Kathleen Tormey.

They broke the mould when they made Jimmy. An Irish immigrant who embodied the American dream and who strongly valued his faith, family and country. He lived every moment as if it was his last. As he always said “I love this life” and he did. May he Rest In Eternal Peace.