John F. McNamara

Son of John E. and Helen C. McNamara(nee Wiener), John was born on June 22, 1931, and raised in Queens, NY. He attended Manhattan College where he received a degree in Civil Engineering. From June of 1954 until June of 1956 he served Active Duty in the Army and spent most of his time stationed in White Sands, New Mexico. He then served in the Army Reserves until May 1962. Throughout his time in the Army, John was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. John went on and worked most of his career as a Civil Engineer for New York Telephone, retiring in 1989 after over 30 years.

John met his future wife Maureen Madeline Hetzer at a Valentine’s Day dance in February 1952, and their love for one another was instant. In February 1955, they were married at St. John’s Evangelist Catholic Church in Mahopac, NY. They had their first child Kevin, in El Paso, Texas, while being stationed in New Mexico with the Army. They returned to Long Island, NY, where they had their children Michael, Thomas, Mary, John, and Daniel. They lived there for 8 years until finally setting in their home in Mahopac, New York, where they went on to have their next five children, Eugene, Joseph, Kathleen, Timothy, and Maureen.

John and Maureen were married for almost 64 years before her passing in December 2018.

John was a staple in his community. A long-time parishioner of St. John’s the evangelist Church in Mahopac, NY, John’s deep love of God was prevalent in every aspect of his life. As a member of the Holy Name Society, a CCD instructor, and an active member in Residents Encounter Christ, John spent much of his life dedicated to teaching The Word of God. His love and devotion to the church was shared by his wife Maureen, and their teachings were passed on through their entire family and much of their community.

John loved to read and write, and enjoyed traveling. He and Maureen were constantly going on adventures together and loved experiencing new cultures. They traveled most of the US and also traveled the world, having explored many countries including China, Egypt, Ireland and Peru, where John was able to tour Machu Picchu at the age of 82! He loved to dance and was always the first person out on the dance floor at any gathering. John was known for his great sense of humor, and loved playing jokes on his family all the way until the end. His playful demeanor and joyful attitude is something cherished by all. He was loving, caring, intelligent, funny, and a true mentor to everyone in his life.

In 2011, John and Maureen moved from their home in Mahopac, down to the Villages in Florida. There they enjoyed the warm weather, new friends, and of course; 5:00 Happy Hour, where John would be caught drinking a Manhattan and dancing the night away with his favorite dance partner, his wife, Maureen.

Later on, John and Maureen relocated to Baywinde Independent Living Facility in Webster, NY. They were both cared for greatly by staff, with a special thank you to Mary Ann Benza, who was considered a close friend by both. After Maureen’s passing, John transferred to St. Ann’s Care Center in Webster, NY where he spent the remainder of his life. We thank all who participated in their care throughout the years, and much appreciation for the competent and attentive staff at St. Ann’s.

John is reunited with his loving wife Maureen, his parents John and Helen, his brother Vincent, and son-in-law Michael Perry. He will be greatly missed and his legacy will live on through those whose lives he touched.

John leaves behind his eleven children, Kevin (Mary Jane), Michael (Wendy), Thomas (Brigitte), Mary (Joseph) Waldron, John (Shirley), Daniel (Maryellen), Eugene (Christina), Joseph (Karen), Kathleen (Keith) Scofield, Timothy, and Maureen Perry; 25 grandchildren, 9 great-grand children, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on January 11th, 2020, at St. John’s the Evangelist Church in Mahopac, NY, where they lived over 40 years of their life.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of John’s favorite charities, The Cystic Fibrosis Lifestyle Foundation - PO Box 416689 Miami Beach, FL 33141. www.cflf.org