Obituary of John Joseph McNamara

John J. "Joe" McNamara, 94, of Binghamton, passed away on Thursday, July 19, 2018, after a brief illness. Joe was predeceased by his parents, brothers and wife Millie, and survived by his devoted children, daughter, Patricia (Michael) Bartnicki of Rochester; son, Robert (Cynthia) McNamara of Binghamton; daughter, Nancy McNamara of Johnson City; son Timothy (Ellen) McNamara of Airmont, New York; son, Thomas (Johna) McNamara of Binghamton; seven grandsons, one granddaughter and six great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother-in-law, Richard (Florence) McNeil and many nieces and nephews. Joe was born in Warren Center, Pennsylvania, to Michael and Lucy McNamara. After helping his father operate the family's dairy farm for several years, he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1944. Assigned to the 78th "Lightning" Division, Joe trained in Florida and shipped out to France, entering the front lines during the Battle of the Bulge. While under fire, he crossed the Rhine River on the Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen, Germany. His division fought into Germany, encircling tens of thousands of enemy soldiers in the Ruhr Pocket at the end of the war in Europe. Joe and his unit then patrolled Berlin, until returning home in 1946. His sweetheart, Mildred "Millie" McNeil was waiting for him at home, and they were married at St. Patrick's Church in Owego in September,1946. Over the next three decades, they set about creating a warm, loving home for their five children. With the family farm sold and a potential baseball career stalled, Joe tackled a variety of factory and other jobs, including driving an ice truck. But it was not until working in the carpentry and contracting field in the 1950's that he found his passion and lifelong career. He began building and remodeling homes all around the Southern Tier, including a home for Millie's parents in Nichols. Over the years, he built a series of homes on Oakridge Drive and East Hampton Road in Binghamton, Murray Hill Road in Vestal and many other locations. Many of his clients became repeat customers, assured by their prior experience of his unfailing integrity and the high quality of his work. Joe was a longtime member of the Southern Tier Home Builders and Remodelers Association. In the 1980's, the business became McNamara & Son, and his son Tom continues the quality construction tradition today. Joe and Millie enjoyed visits from their children and grandchildren, traveling and then in the 1990's, splitting the year between the Triple Cities and a home in Deltona, Florida. Family and friends always looked forward to visits with Joe and his ubiquitous sense of humor. You knew a joke or funny story was in the offing when Joe would get a twinkle in his eye and give a little chuckle. Even in his last years when medical issues became more frequent, nurses, aides and others involved with his care remarked often of his inevitable good humor and politeness. His Catholic faith, wit and humbleness will long remain guideposts for his loving family. Joe's family would like to express their thanks to the wonderful staff members at St. Louise Manor and Elizabeth Church Manor, as well as to Drs. Szabo, Meehan and Ishan Kahn, who worked so diligently to give Joe quality of life and happiness in his last years. A Funeral Mass will be offered on Wednesday, July 25th at 10:30 a.m. at the Church of the Holy Family, 3600 Phyllis Street, Endwell. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Johnson City. The family will receive friends at the J.A. McCormack Sons Funeral Home, 141 Main Street, Binghamton, Tuesday, July 24th from 4 to 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in memory of Joe may be made to Mercy House of the Southern Tier (a residence for the terminally ill), 212 North McKinley Avenue, Endicott, N.Y. 13760 or Hire Heroes USA (charity focused on training/educating veterans for civilian employment) at www.hireheroesusa.org.