The Butler Hospital Memory and Aging Program (MAP) mourns the passing of Neil Corkery on September 3, 2023. Neil was a long-standing research volunteer, a staunch advocate for Alzheimer’s research, and generous about sharing his story and encouraging others to participate in research as well.
Neil had a distinguished career as a school principal and state legislator as well as being a leader in the recovery community. He was outgoing, gregarious, and a friend to all. He first came to Butler Hospital for an evaluation of mild symptoms in 2003. He returned to join a clinical trial of “aducanumab” for early Alzheimer’s disease in 2015 and he remained in an open treatment trial until earlier this year. During that time, he maintained his independence and good quality of life, driving, managing his affairs, and holding court at Pastiche. Both he and his family were very happy with his stability and apparent response to treatment.
Neil was featured on the front page of the Providence Journal in 2018 in a story about Alzheimer’s research. He participated in a panel discussion with the producers of a Nova television documentary about Alzheimer’s during a premier showing at Butler Hospital and he was a speaker at a press conference at the hospital before the first infusion of “aducanumab” following FDA approval.
His giving spirit continues, even after death. He impressed upon his family his wish to donate his brain for research so that scientists could learn all they could from his many years in the study. His wife Maureen and son Michael were loving study partners, always at his side. We send our condolences to the entire Corkery family and his large circle of friends.
Thank you, Neil, for all you contributed and for a life well lived.