Cornelius “Neal” Leary, 78 of Milton, passed away at home peacefully surrounded by family on December 25, 2025.

Neal was born in Dorchester to Cornelius Leary from County Cork & Mary (Gill) Leary from County Leitrim. He carried his Irish roots with pride throughout his life. He graduated from English High School in Boston and started working in broadcast at Channel 56. Neal later spent his career as an executive driver in the banking industry.

A man of few words but immense wisdom, Neal was known as a great listener with a remarkable memory and a deep love of history. He had a gift for facts and stories, and shared them thoughtfully, and always with purpose.

He loved the simple pleasures in life—especially watching the Patriots, going to the beach, an ice-cold beer, and hanging by the pool with his grandchildren.

Neal is reunited now with his loved ones, and is survived by his sister Mary Theresa, his devoted daughter Angela Canale and her husband John, their children Amanda, Kristina, Johnny, and Michael, of Milton, his son Matthew Leary and his wife Michelle, and their children Tyler, Matthew Jr, his wife Alyssa, and great grandson John of Simpsonville, SC.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Saint Agatha Church, 432 Adams Street, Milton, Tuesday December 30 at 10:30 am. Visitation in the church begins at 10:00 am. Interment Saint Joseph Cemetery, West Roxbury.

The family of Neal wishes to extend our sincere gratitude to the doctors at Dana Farber & Beth Israel Boston, the nurses at Old Colony Hospice, and his caretaker Julie Murtagh.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Neal's memory to www.als.org