James Lionel McNamara

 
James McNamara passed away on July 6, 2022. He was the second oldest of seven children born in 
Minneapolis, MN to Lionel and Jessamine McNamara. To put himself through DeLaSalle Catholic High 
School, he took his first job at Munsingwear sweeping floors at age 14 (thanks to his aunt lying about his 
age), then worked at Mac’s diner. After graduating from high school, James joined the US Air Force in 
1958 at age 17 and was stationed at Briggs Air Force Base in El Paso, Texas. He was an instrument 
technician working on B-52s and shared stories of fueling planes in mid-air and the Cuban Missile Crisis. 
James was very proud to have served in the Air Force and enjoyed visiting with other veterans when the 
opportunity arose. 

James married the love of his life, Mary, in 1961 and in 1962 they welcomed their son, Steven. After 
James was discharged from the Air Force in December 1962, the family of 3 returned to Minneapolis. 
They welcomed their daughter Deborah in 1963. James was a devoted husband and father. He worked at 
Lindsay Company making water softeners for 20 years. In addition, he worked part-time as a security 
guard so that Mary would be there when Steven and Debbie came home from school. 

James and Mary moved to Middleboro to live with their daughter Deborah in 2015. He enjoyed working 
on 3-D wood puzzles, learned how to order from Amazon, and watched Joe Kenda, American Detective 
on Discovery+.  

He will be deeply missed by daughter, Deborah, forever his baby girl, and brother Dennis, sisters Kathy 
and Anne, many other family members, and friends. James will be laid to rest with his beloved Mary in a 
private family ceremony. Special thanks to the caring staff at the VA Hospice Unit in Brockton for keeping 
James comfortable in his final days and embracing Debbie and Jenni during this difficult time. Memorials 
preferred to the American Lung Association. 

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