John B McNamara

Age 78 of Chestnut Hill and Osterville, October 7, 2017, with his family by his side. The eldest son of the late Bernard S. and Marion V. (Cassidy) McNamara, he was born in Boston on November 28, 1938.   John was the devoted husband of Carole (Ward) McNamara. Together they shared and celebrated 55 years of marriage. They are the parents of four children, Donna McNamara and her husband Jonathan Sheetz of Mount Joy, PA, John, Jr., and his wife Katie (Molumphy) McNamara, Brian McNamara, both of Chestnut Hill and Cristin McNamara and her husband John Geraci of Newton. Affectionately known as “Papa” to his 9 grandchildren: Kevin McNamara and his wife Emily Bell of Charlestown, Jack, Michael, and Joseph McNamara of Chestnut Hill, Peter, Stephen and James Sheetz of Mount Joy, PA, and Tom and Caroline Geraci of Newton will truly miss him. He was the brother of the late Paul J. McNamara and wife Mary and brother of Robert McNamara and wife Alice.  

A third-generation funeral director, John owned and operated the McNamara Funeral Home which served the community for over 90 years. John graduated from Boston College High School in 1956 where he played both football and hockey. He went on to play hockey at Boston College, graduated in 1960, and continued to support the school he loved for many years.  

He served on the Brighton Board of Trade and as a director at the Greater Boston Bank. John was a member of Oyster Harbors and Charles River Country Clubs. His lifelong passions included golf, spending time on the water, and watching his children and grandchildren in their sporting events.  

Funeral from the Lehman Reen & McNamara Funeral Home Friday October 13th at 9 am.  Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Ignatius of Loyola Church 28 Commonwealth Ave.  Chestnut Hill at 10:00am. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend.  Visiting Hours in the funeral home Thursday October 12th from 3-7 pm.  Interment at Holyhood Cemetery, Brookline.  

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in John's name to Franciscan Children's Hospital 30 Warren Street Brighton, MA 02135 or (franciscanchildrens.org/giving/donate-today).

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