It has been difficult for me to gather our thoughts & feelings of what Kevin meant
to us, our children, our extended Christian family & how much he touched &
influenced all of us in sooo many ways, for 50+ years of knowing him & Sherri. I
could echo all the comments others have sent, especially our immediate family
Carrie, Mark & Lisa. But I want to share and thank the Lord, that Kevin is totally
healed and in Heaven, walking with Jesus and busy greeting all his family and
friends who have gone before him, and many of them are there because of Kevin's sharing his testimony and love for the Lord. And his love and care for everyone the Lord brought into his path, no matter where he was, no matter young or old, family, friends, students, co-workers, everyone he had the opportunity to speak to. Though we miss him terribly and are sad for Sherri, Beth, Erin and Imy, seeing him healed and walking with Jesus and still loving and cheering us on even more than when he was with us. Now no boundaries, not time or space or illness will slow him down or keep him from encouraging us to walk with Jesus and Trust HIM!!



More than “my friend’s dad,” Mr. McNamara was a staple in my entire life. I remember him in my childhood as my teacher and he remained a constant in my adult life. I am grateful for the time he and Mrs. McNamara took to visit our Utah home a few summers ago, and we still have the bear spray he left with us, and think of him every time we take it on a hike. I am so grateful our family was able to see him in June at his home in Buffalo. He was hospitable, funny, endearing and a friend always. My lifelong friendship with his daughter Erin is one of my life’s greatest blessings, and the thread of her entire family is woven in the fabric of who I am. 

Mac was an outstanding soccer coach. Always a pleasure to work his Williamsville South girls varsity games for many seasons. I know he was good friends with my long time soccer friends Cal Kern and J Tassy.   Tass  made a surprise visit to WNY in 2021 & greeted me at my game. 57 years with the whistle & Kevin was one of the very best coaches and family man I have had the opportunity to work for. . His presence and impact on WNY girls soccer is impressive.  He will be missed. RIP Mac

Dear Sherri, Erin & Beth,

I'm so sorry for your loss. Kevin has impacted so many lives as a faithful servant of the Lord. He will be missed by many as a teacher, coach and mentor.
My prayers are that you will feel comfort & strength from the Lord during this time of sorrow. 

Melody Overs

Wow, hard to believe Kevin's time here has passed. I am so sorry for this great loss, Sherri, Erin & Beth! No one will fill that gap, because he loved so well. Praying for God's comfort for you all.

My memories of Kevin are so fond, because he was there as a loving friend to all of us Siegel's. Some would ask if my husband Mark and Kevin were brothers, and it would have felt right to say yes!

He was hilarious and could roast people and do impressions of them without hurting their feelings. He had a way of poking fun that could be received with good humor, because no one ever doubted his love.

I appreciate how he was in our wedding and sent us off on our adventures with encouragement. He was always there when we would come back to visit- a faithful friend. Hug Jesus and my dad John for me, Kevin! See you one day soon. We love you and your sweet family!


Kevin has been there as a trusted friend for every stage of my life. He was our babysitter Sherri's boyfriend when I was a toddler and my sister Carrie was a baby. He was my teacher at CCA and co-worker at my dad's business in the summers. He always made work and life tons of fun, keeping everyone laughing! They lived behind us and enjoyed many fun pool parties, holidays and meals. He was in our wedding and advised us in important life decisions. Coming back to WNY included special times with the Mac's. Carrie and I just saw him a few weeks ago, and we are glad we got to see him one last time. He has been a true brother in Christ, always an awesome example in so many ways. I will miss you, Kevin! See you one day soon. We are sorry for your great loss, Sherri, Erin, Beth & family. We love you.


 Will miss our longtime friend Kevin. If it weren’t for Kevin and Sherri, I may never have even gone to college!  Kevin started asking me back in 8th grade to start thinking of what college I’d go to one day. At first, I thought I’d do sports med or be a PE teacher like Kevin, then later changed my major to nursing, just like Sherri ! He helped inspire confidence in my athletic abilities which led to my athletic scholarship to Liberty!   Sherri ,Kevin, Erin and Beth  are like family to me. Sherri and Kevin have been strong pillars and Godly examples to me since they babysat Mark and I and Kevin accidentally broke our door while playing 2 square with us in the basement!! Good times ! 

Coach McNamara was a kind and generous man, with a welcoming smile, who coached with enthusiasm to bring out the best in all of the players on the field.  He uplifted the lives of so many young people and fellow coaches.  My heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.

Mary Neilon
Ellicottville Girls Soccer (retired coach) 


My heart is heavy to know that this great man has passed on. 

Coach Mac was my PE teacher for 13 years - he literally watched me grow up from a wide-eyed, energetic 5 year old to a young man headed off to
college. Coach Mac was an institution at our school and was loved by all. 

It was probably in 4th or 5th grade when he taught us goofy elementary schoolers in a small, carpeted gymnasium behind the auditorium how to shoot a basketball via the acronym B.E.E.F. (B-alance, E-yes, E-lbows, F-ollow-through). 

To this day I still think about BEEF every time I shoot a basketball. 

As I reflect on what Coach Mac taught us though many years later, I see that that simple mnemonic was really representative of the principles that he passed on to all of us he taught and coached - - - learning how to live a balanced life, always keeping your eyes open, clear, and focused, that how you position yourself is important, and that following through on what you commit to is vital. 

S. Kevin McNamara was a blessing not just to me but literally to generations of his students and players. 

We all carry the lessons that he taught us and I hope to pass them on to my children as a small way to honor his legacy.  

Rest well Coach Mac.

Mr. MAC was everything you'd expect out of a gym teacher: he was loud, energetic, youthful, very in shape, and despite being well under 6ft tall and well under 200lbs, he walked around as if he was 6'6, 280lbs. The guy was the best PE teacher I knew and I enjoyed every PE class I had with him. He encouraged us to play hard and to work together as a team. His great energy was contagious, and exactly what we all needed after long, boring days sitting down in stifling classrooms learning about rocket science level math we'll never use, and weird rocks we'll never dig for. 

Fond memories of him include: 
-convincing him to take us up to the gym and let us crush the weights all period, instead of playing soft ball. 
-him randomly and hilariously lecturing us all about how corn is in everything and without it nothing would exist or run well. 
-asking him to sign my yearbook and him whipping out a stamp and stamping it instead. 

Thankfully, his name is definitely stamped in the book of life, and he is in heaven now. He's earned that and He served God well. 

Love you Mr. Mac.

Kevin was a beloved colleague as I began my teaching career at CCA 21 years ago. Condolences and prayers for his family. 

"Coach Mac" holds a legendary status in my memory as a man I will always seek to emulate. His character, sense of humor, and fitness will be difficult to match. The man dedicated his life to others and was an unwavering role model to the many-many students he taught.

One of my favorite memories was playing indoor co-ed soccer at the YMCA with Coach Mac and the Tom family long after graduation. Watching him body kids half his age was always a kick.

Dear Sherri, Erin,and Beth,
We are so sorry for your loss. We will miss Kevin’s sense of humor. We also know his faithfulness to the Lord . He has certainly impacted many lives through his teaching, coaching, and mentoring. We will be upholding you in prayer through your grieving journey.
Our love and prayers to you all,
Sue and Bill OConnor

Brother Mac:  What a blessing it was to know and be around Kevin.
Kevin was so full of love and life. His Christian attitude and enthusiasm influenced everyone he met. His positive Christian spirit touched me from the day I first met him at CCA. Everyone who I talked to about Kevin loved him and his honesty about life. He walked and talked his Christian faith. I will miss you Kevin, but I know 
you are where the good Lord wanted you.

Friend and brother, Joe Karnath

A true blessing to have known and be on the same field with. A class act and a special person.
Bob Zaidel
WNYBOWS

I can’t believe it-
So sad.  best coach I ever had, impacted my life tremendously. 
From my daughter Karen
So sorry to hear, my prayers are with you and your family. 
David Shipston 

Your friendly and booming voice will forever be etched in my memory. Thank you for all of your support to not only me, but to my children as well. They are better people because of their exposure to you. Rest peacefully my brother!

Mr McNamara was truly the best, from the time I was 7 years old I remember his boisterous laugh and sense of humor when he walked into a room.  He was a presence of a father figure in my life and the strongest man I knew, he taught me a lot.  He treated me like family, like one of his own.  The memories and holidays I have with him will last forever, never forgotten.   We will always have Quebec, the canoe and the leeches Mr McNamara, no one will ever tell that story quite like you did.  I love you.
With all of my love to Mrs McNamara and my sisters Erin and Beth xo 
Andrea 

So sorry that Kevin’s name was entered incorrectly on our note. It was a slip of the mind as we entered it. It doesn’t take away from how much we knew and respected him. 

Coach Mac,

My favorite memory with you is from when I was in first grade. One week, I was in the newspaper with my family and during lunch on Monday you came over to my table and told everyone that I was in the paper. That day you made me feel like I was famous. You were a kind and funny gym teacher. You will be missed.

Coach Mac will be greatly missed. He always held a special place in my heart. 

 I came to know Kevin and Sherri when I was the assistant pastor at the Grand Island Bible Presbyterian Church in the mid seventies. When my wife Nancy and I took a church in Lakeland FL, we continued to have fellowship with them when they lived and worked in Clearwater. Back in the Buffalo area we have remained friends and Nancy faithfully attends the Bible studies led by Sherri.

 People who know Kevin would affectionately refer to him as “a piece of work”. Actually all believers are “God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” [Eph 2:10].  God skillfully built into Kevin a charm, friendliness and good humor that always left me uplifted and encouraged. Being “in Christ”, the fruit of the Spirit “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” [Gal 5:22] were evident in him. 

 Kevin had a genuine interest in the well being of others, especially the young people he was so often around.
 In humility he did consider others “better than himself looking on their interests as well as his own” [Phil 2:3]

He possessed an infectious optimism and good cheer that was based on his unshakable faith in the grace and sovereign power of his crucified and exalted Savior. He saw the world with the glow that streams from the empty tomb and the throne of the Lamb.

Kevin was an intrepid warrior for Christ. He was always “valiant for the truth” that he gleaned from God’s Word. He was not afraid to bluntly instruct or rebuke those he loved [yet gently with a smile].  He never hesitated to share what he genuinely thought would be helpful “for building others up according to their needs... [Eph 4:29]  

We will miss his smiles, his wit, his wisdom and his friendship. But we look forward to joining him [and countless multitudes] in the perfect worship of the Lamb when we leave this “the land of the dying” and go to that “land of the forever living”!  


Coach McNamara was like the energizer bunny, always going! Loved having him as my 8th grade homeroom teacher and our Phys Ed coach. It was also fun to hear about the rivalry he had with my brother-a former soccer player for Mac, who later coached the Grand Island girls soccer team. We will look forward to seeing him again in Heaven! Photo date May 11, 1984. 

Coach mac,

Thank you for being my favorite gym teacher and basketball coach in middle school.  You were always so encouraging, fun , natural coach and leader.  I have so many amazing memories with you.  I could mention so many but I’ll always remember you doing push-ups during class and encouraging head shots during dodgeball games.   What an incredible man of God you are.  I love how you always got in and played with the kids.  I’ll look forward to seeing you in heaven someday.  Love you coach mac.  Thanks for having such a large impact on my life.

-Scottie-

P.S.  Thanks for teaching me how to juggle ;)

Coach Mac,
Thank you for being one of the most funniest, encouraging, gym teachers I have ever met. I will never forget the impact you made on my life, you will be missed.

~Annalese

Beyond blessed to have spent a day with Kevin earlier this spring. Memories trail back to the 70’s with faith, soccer, daughters and support of his fabulous soccer coaching and knowledge; he’ll be coaching in glory!

OBITUARY

S. Kevin McNamara

21 July, 1951 – 4 September, 2022

Perna, Dengler, Roberts Funeral Home

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