Charlton Depot – Peter J. Neilly, 61, of Charlton Depot, treasured husband of Maureen M. (Hickey) Neilly, passed away peacefully on Tuesday May 2, 2023, surrounded by his loving family, after a three-year courageous battle with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA).
Born in Southbridge to Emerson C. and Jean (Abbott) Neilly, Peter graduated from Shrewsbury High School Class of 1980, and Northeastern University Class of 1985. After college he went on to graduate in the 67th RTT of the Massachusetts State Police, serving the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for 34 years. He received several commendations during his career.
Peter began his career with the Massachusetts State Police C-2 Barracks in Grafton, MA. He was a trained hostage negotiator with the MSP, serving in Troop E on the Massachusetts Turnpike. His final assignment was at the Quabbin Reservoir where he was in his element due to his love of the outdoors and nature.
Peter felt his proudest accomplishments were being married to his high school sweetheart and the love of his life Maureen, along with their three beautiful children, Meaghan Kathryn (Neilly) Boucher and her husband Steven Charles Boucher, Devin Charles Neilly and Aidan Emerson Neilly.
In addition to his wife and children, Peter leaves behind his mother Jean A. Neilly, sister Barbara A. Neilly, brother Mark E. Neilly and his wife Ola Levitin, their children Oliver Neilly, Samuel Daoust and Julien Daoust, mother-in-law, Jane (Beringer) Hickey, sister-in-law Jane M. Brouillard and her children Luke S. Brouillard and husband Estaban Garcia, Tara J. Brouillard and significant other Ryan Jacobson, along with brothers-in-law Chas Hickey and husband Ray DiPietro, Bernard G. Hickey and wife Christina Coldwell Hickey and their daughters Thea Hickey and Olivia Hickey. He was predeceased by his father, Emerson C. Neilly, father-in-law Charles H. Hickey and brother-in-law Stephen J. Brouillard.
Peter loved being with family and friends and his pets. He enjoyed the outdoors boating, fishing, hunting and skiing. He was a phenomenal cook making everything with love! He will be missed by so many. His family would like to thank the nursing staff in the CCU at UMass Memorial, especially Carol and Mary R., and Kristie Jones, his NP at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, for their compassionate care for Peter.
Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend visiting hours at the Chiampa Funeral Home, 5 Church Road, On the Common, Shrewsbury on Wednesday, May 10, 2023 from 4-7 P.M. A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Thursday, May 11, 2023, at 11:00 A.M. at St. Mary’s Church, 640 Main Street, Shrewsbury. Interment will follow on Friday, May 12, 2023 at 1:00 pm at Brewster Memorial Cemetery, Brewster.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Peter’s honor may be made to the MSA Coalition, https://www.multiplesystematrophy.org/donate/.
Those attending the Mass are asked to go directly to church.
