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Robert J. “Mac” McNamara, Oakwood Memorial Park, Ottawa IL

By November 16, 2016Obituaries

Robert J. “Mac” McNamara, 88, of Ottawa, passed away Friday, November 11, 2016 at the Ottawa Pavilion.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am, Tuesday, November 15 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Ottawa, with Rev. Tony Fevlo officiating. Family and friends gather at 9:00 am, an hour prior to the services, at the church. He will be buried at Oakwood Memorial Park. Ottawa Funeral Home & Crematory has been entrusted with cremation rites.

Robert was born July 23, 1928 to Edward and Selma (Eike) McNamara. He married Jeanne C. Dekreon on August 20, 1955 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Ottawa; she passed away August 12, 2015.

Mac was a graduate of St. Patrick’s Grade School and Ottawa High School. He retired from L.O.F. after 43 years of service. He was a member of Glassworkers Local 19 and served as a Union Officer for 25 years. He was a devoted member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church for his entire life. Mac was an avid sports fan all his life. He coached Pitstick’s softball team from 1948-1954. Later he coached the Braves Little League team from 1967-1971.

He is survived by two children, Robert John McNamara of Nashville, and Kathryn (David) Lock of Utica; four grandchildren, Dr. Laura (Nick) Sorabella of Watertown, MA; Brian Lock and Ashley of Ottawa, Jamie (Chris) Hawk of Atlanta, GA; and Robert J. (Ada) McNamara, Jr. of Bristol, CT; one great-grandchild, Georgia May Sorabella of Watertown, MA; and one sister, Dorothy (Orrin) Wiley of Earlville.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, two children in infancy, his twin brother, William E. McNamara; two sisters, Mary Panter and Helen Kirwan; and a very dear friend, Mary O’Brien.

Memorials may be directed to the family for distribution to his favorite charities.

Mac has been laid to rest in the Garden of Prayer.