John Joseph Neari passed away peacefully on May 28, 2021, in Winston-Salem, N.C., while in the loving care of his son and daughter-in-law Philip and Pam Neari. John was born to Italian immigrants in Virginia, Minn., on Sept. 19, 1921. He was the youngest of five children. Always with a smile on his face, John excelled in school and sports. Upon graduation, John attended St. Thomas and then St. Cloud Teacher's College. It was at St. Cloud that John met his love Marilyn Baumhofer. John and Marilyn were married in 1951 in Del Norte, Colo., where John started his teaching career. In 1954, they moved to Pueblo, Colo., with their infant daughter Mary Rae. John worked as both a teacher and coach for many years at Pueblo Catholic High, and then stayed on to both teach and manage Seton High School. He was loved by students and faculty alike. After the closing of Seton, John was hired at Southern Colorado State College (now CSU-P) as Director of Purchasing. John continued in this position until his retirement in 1985. John loved fishing, telling jokes, going to garage sales, and finding treasures in other's castaways. He was always smiling and loved to laugh. He supported Marilyn by helping at home with five children, cleaning churches and mowing lawns on weekends to help make ends meet. John lost his love Marilyn in March of 2017. They were married for 66 years. John lost his beloved son Patrick in August of 2020. Patrick had returned to Pueblo in 2016 to help his sister Gina care for their mother and father. He was a loving son. John knew no stranger, always greeting everyone with a smile and a hello. He will be deeply missed by many. John was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Marilyn; and son, Patrick. John is survived by children, Mary Rae (Mack) Staton, Philip (Pamela) Neari, Paul (Debra) Neari and Gina (Vince) Benfatti. John also leaves behind 11 grandchildren, John (Maria ) Staton, Timothy Staton, Marie (Aaron) Ligon, Gina (Andrew) Kelly, Jacob Neari, Joseph Neari, Nick Neari, Tony Neari, Francesca (Matt) Neari-Gontarek, Vinnie (Stephanie) Benfatti and Angela (Shane) Moore. John has been blessed with nine great-grandchildren and one more arriving in August of 2021. Funeral rites of the Christian Burial will take place at 10 a.m., June 17, 2021, Christ the King Catholic Church, Pueblo CO. Private family internment following at Imperial Gardens Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Pueblo Catholic Charities or the charity of your choice.
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