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William James McNamara of Hampton Bays died on June 20 at Winthrop-University Hospital in Mineola, with his family by his side. He was 84.
Born March 23, 1924, to Elizabeth Brennan and James McNamara of Bridgehampton, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy after high school, serving from 1943 to 1946. After his military service, he worked on his family’s potato farm in Bridgehampton alongside his brother John McNamara, who predeceased him, until becoming a heavy machine operator for a local union, working on such projects as Sunrise Highway, Shinnecock jetty, Bridgehampton race track and the Sag Harbor bridge.
Upon retiring from the union, Mr. McNamara enjoyed working part-time doing a little bit of everything. He most enjoyed helping through his part-time employment with Southampton Hospital. He also spent many years volunteering at the Southampton Care Center. Survivors recalled that he could always be found making people happy with his friendly presence and quick wit, but that the most important thing to him was his love for his family.
He is survived by two daughters and their spouses, Nina and Tom Strong of East Hampton, and Donna and J. Andreassi of Water Mill; four sons and their spouses, Jim and Chris McNamara of Sag Harbor, Dan and Denyse McNamara of Water Mill, Terry and Denise McNamara of Southampton, and Mick and Caroline McNamara of Pittsford; a daughter-in-law, Stephanie McNamara of Southampton; two sisters, Ann Moonis and Jane Sleight; 17 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
In addition to his brother, John McNamara, he was predeceased by his wife, Hazel McNamara; a son, Gary McNamara; and two sisters, Mary Jablonski and Betty King.
The family received visitors on June 24 at the O’Connell Funeral Home in Southampton. A funeral was held on June 25 at Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Church in Bridgehampton; interment with full military honors followed at Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Cemetery in Southampton.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675-8517 would be appreciated by the family.
on Jun 23, 2008