Paul H. Mcnamara

With a life well lived, on Sunday May 16, 2021, Paul H. McNamara loving father and friend passed away at the age of 89. Paul was born on May 20, 1931 in Baltimore, Maryland.  He grew up in Philadelphia, graduated from West Catholic Preparatory High School and then the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School of Business in 1954.  He met the love of his life, Josephine Adelle (Nikki) Owen at the Jersey Shore.  They were married on November 18, 1959 and celebrated 58 years marriage prior to her passing in 2017.  Paul was preceded in death by his parents Bertha Lena Sayman and John Francis McNamara, by his brother John McNamara, and his sister Mary Jane Wickman.  He is survived by his loving children Beth Gustafson, husband Brian and daughter Holly of Guys Mills, PA; Patty McNamara and daughter Jennifer of Bangor, ME; Chris McNamara, wife Tracy and daughter Cassidy of Corrales, NM; special nephew Jim, wife Loretta McNamara of Albuquerque, NM and many beloved nieces and nephews from the Wickman and McNamara families.

At age 18, Paul was a junior member of the Penn AC Rowing Association and remained competitive through 1958.  He enjoyed many sports and believed in power of exercise to stay healthy throughout his life.  Early in his career, he worked for large computer companies including IBM and The Burroughs Corporation.  He was part of the team that installed the first computer at a military base in Japan in the late 1950s/early 1960s.  He worked with computers throughout his life and spun several small businesses assisting others.  Later in life he became a skilled photographer and craftsman.  Paul enjoyed making gemstone jewelry and created his own business, Gemstone Joy. He enjoyed attending and organizing craft shows.

Paul and Nikki raised their children in Sherborn, MA and Nashua, NH.  In the early 1990s they moved to Santa Fe, NM and subsequently settled in Rio Rancho.  He had a strong work ethic that carried over to his hobbies and interests which were many and included love of lakes and ocean, downhill skiing, gardening, basketball, soccer, golf, the Southwest, and animals.  He owned many beloved animals throughout his life, settling on rescue dogs in the end.  He was always willing to lend a hand and jump into activities such as coaching his son’s soccer team even though he never played!

Paul’s children remember him as a great father, who gave back much to the family and others.  The children cherish great family vacations to Vermont, Cape Cod, Avalon, NJ, and Disney World and thoroughly appreciate paid-in-full college tuition.  They treasure memories of many family ski trips.  As he aged, he became a caregiver to his Mother and many years later to his wife.  He made many sacrifices for the family and was loved by everyone who knew him.

Paul was a religious man and believed in God and the power of prayer.  After Nikki passed his daughter, Patty, reached out to him and they started saying a morning prayer daily together.  She read her prayer out of the Alcoholic Anonymous book, Twenty-four Hours a Day and he created his own prayer to read.  The reading of the prayer with his daughter meant a lot to him (as well as to her) because he often commented on how much he benefited from having daily prayers together.

The immediate and extended family will share a private celebration of life.  Paul’s humility, kind nature, caring and respectful attitude and strong work ethic will live in the hearts of everyone who knew him.  If you wish to offer a donation in honor of Paul, the family suggests selecting a charity of your choice.  Paul will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by his loving children, nephews, and nieces.