Dr. Jan C. Prager passed away peacefully at the age of 90 years old on Monday, November 18th, 2024. Jan was predeceased by his wife Anna who passed last year. They had been married for 64 years.

Jan and Anna made South County their home in the mid-1960s when Jan’s career with the Environmental Protection Agency brought him to Narragansett Bay where he worked until he retired. Prior to coming to RI, Jan helped establish the Sandy Hook Laboratory in New Jersey. The Laboratory was the first Federal scientific laboratory devoted solely to research of marine recreational fish and fishing. Jan was a pioneer in the field of environment protection, specifically marine life. We live in a better world because of the work Dr. Prager did to protect our waters. In retirement, Jan also authored an Environmental Contaminant Reference book published by Van Nostrand Reinhold. Jan received his PhD in protozoology from New York University.

After retirement, Jan stayed active in the community including Rotary where he was an active member welcoming many new members over the years. He enjoyed Rotary’s annual balloon festival where he could be found behind the lens of his camera. Jan volunteered his time with Save the Bay, a cause that both he and his wife were passionate about. Jan was an active member of the Sherlock Holmes Irregulars, a literary society that met annually in New York City. He was also a member of the local RI Sherlockian society, the Cornish Horrors.

He is survived by his two children and by a growing family who will miss him dearly. Jan was the loving grandfather of five and great-grandfather of six. While he was usually called Papa by his grandchildren, he did not mind being referred to as the Old Geezer either.

Jan Prager was a good man with a kind heart. He chose to use humor and intellect to communicate no matter how light or contentious the issue at hand.
Donations in Jan’s name may be made to Save the Bay Rhode Island. A private family memorial service will be held later.

Arrangements are with Family’s Choice Cremation, 8 Schoolhouse Rd. Warren, RI, 02885.

For directions or tributes, please visit www.familyschoicecremation.com