NEARY, Jack

NEARY, Jack ( -1960), left with his friend, James Gribbin, in a 12-foot skiff out of Avalon Bay and never returned. They both lived in Avalon.

In the News~

November 8, 1960 [Long Beach Press Telegram]: “Hunt pushed for two men lost at sea. An intensified sea and air search for two Avalon fishermen missing since last Sunday began at daybreak today, the Coast Guard announced. Three aircraft—including a helicopter—and three Coast Guard patrol boats will join in a carefully planned, coordinated hunt for the lost fishermen. The search for James Gribbin, a power plant worker, and Jack Neary, a construction worker, was suspended Monday night after an unsuccessful search of offshore waters 50 miles south of Santa Catalina Island. Gribbin and Neary were reported missing Sunday night after they failed to return from a planned two-hour fishing trip a half mile off Avalon. They were using a 12-foot outboard skiff. They had no oars, food or water.”

November 10, 1960 [The Catalina Islander]: “Two Islanders lost at sea. Missing since Sunday and presumed lost at sea are James Gribbon and Jack Neary, both residents of Avalon. The two men left Avalon on Sunday afternoon in a 12-foot outboard powered with a 7-½ horsepower engine, with only a limited supply of fuel. Their intention was to fish for two hours and return to Avalon. The Coast Guard instigated an elaborate search program utilizing ships, planes and helicopters, on Sunday evening. This search was carried out on Monday and Tuesday. The Coast Guard search pattern covered an area of several hundred square miles before efforts were cancelled on Wednesday morning. At press time no news of the men's fate had been found.”

November 11, 1960 [San Pedro News Pilot]: “CG halts search for 2 fishermen. The Coast Guard has given up a 5-day search for two fishermen who disappeared in a 12-foot outboard in the San Pedro Channel The men, both of Avalon, were Jack Neary and James Gribbon.”