Joseph Patrick Neary, 49, of Rockland, Ma., a retired MBTA employee and a Navy veteran of the Vietnam War, died Thursday, March 13, at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston after a brief illness.

Joe worked 20 years for the MBTA, first as a bus driver and then as a tabulator.  He retired in 1996 due to illness.  He was a member of the Boston Carmen's Union.

Joe previously worked in the construction industry for Barkin Construction Co. in Boston.

He served two tours of duty in Vietnam and was a member of the Disabled American Veterans in Braintree.

Joe was born in Quincy, raised and educated in Braintree, graduating from Braintree High School in 1965.  He lived 17 years in Rockland.

He is survived by his wife, Debra (Scott) Neary; three sons, Timothy, Patrick and Daniel, all of Rockland; two brothers, William of Plymoouth and Russell "Russ" of Braintree; four sisters, Elizabeth "Betty" Curry of Bridgewater, Alison Bartel of Easton, Barbara Daiute of Braintree and Anne Loud of Wareham; and many nephews and nieces.

Burial at Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne.  Donations to the American Heart Association.