ESCANABA - James "Mac" E. McNamara, 81, Escanaba, passed away on Friday, June 8, 2012, at the V.A. Hospital in Iron Mountain following a brief illness. He was born Nov. 9, 1930, to the late Francis and Agnes Pearl (Conroy) McNamara in Flint, Mich. On Oct. 19, 1957, he married the former Doris Mattson in Hancock.
After graduating from high school, James proudly served his country during the Korean War in the U.S. Marine Corps. Mac's favorite past time was flying and his work around planes and airports. He purchased his first airplane in 1956 and has been self-employed as a charter pilot, plane mechanic and an inspector ever since. He was also proud to have logged 17,500 flight hours. Mac will be greatly missed by all his family and friends.
He is survived by his wife; 10 children, Audrey (Joe Brindle) McNamara, Diane (Frank) Hartnett, David McNamara, Pamela (Patrick) Foland, Jeffrey McNamara, Michael (Melissa) McNamara, Steven McNamara, Brian (Mandy) McNamara, Cathy (Randy Yohr) McNamara and Robert McNamara; one brother, Brian (Debbie) McNamara; 17 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
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James ‘Mac’ E. McNamara
James was preceded in death by his parents, one daughter, Cheryl McNamara; two brothers, Leo and Charlie McNamara; and one sister, Patricia Todd.
Friends may call from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, June 12, 2012, at the Allo Coolman Funeral Home in Escanaba with Delta County Veterans Council Rites at 12:45 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday at St. Anne's Church with Fr. Francis DeGroot officiating and Fr. Emmett Norden concelebrating. Burial will follow Mass in the Holy Cross Cemetery. A luncheon will be held in the church parish hall.
Please visit www.allofh.com to send online condolences to his family.
