Obituary of Francis Edward McNamara

McNAMARA, Francis Edward - Kempt Road, Richmond Co., passed peacefully from this life to the next on Friday, March 11, 2005, in Strait Richmond Hospital. Born in Evanston on August 26, 1937, he was the son of Mary Cecelia (Poirier) McNamara and the late Gregory McNamara. Francis was a kind and gentle man, who had a fabulous sense of humour. He enjoyed card games (especially Tarbish), kitchen parties, bingo, bowling, and dancing. He was an avid fan of country and western music, and was always willing to jump in the car and go anywhere at any time. He worked as a heavy equipment operator on various construction sites, operating service stations, and selling cars both on his own as 'McNamara Auto Sales' and for Midway Motors and Canso Ford. Francis enjoyed attending community events, was a former Mason, had previously been a member of the United Church of Canada, and was currently a member of St. Francis de Sales Roman Catholic Parish. He served two terms on Richmond County Municipal Council as Councillor for District Five. He is survived by his daughter, Rev. Connie McNamara and son-in-law Arthur Doucette, Seeley's Bay, Ont.; his son, Arnold McNamara and daughter-in-law Angie Howlett, Kempt Road; his grandsons, Noah Doucette, Zachary McNamara, Seth Doucette and Jacob Doucette; and his life partners, Shirley McNamara and Monica McCarthy. He leaves behind his sisters, Marie Cogswell and Pauline (Lockie) Proctor, Evanston; his brothers, Raymond (Valerie) McNamara, Whiteside; Donnie (Lil) McNamara and Ted (Sarah) McNamara, Evanston; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sisters, Margarete (in infancy) and Della Proctor; and brothers-in-law, Alex Cogswell and Jack Proctor. There will be no visitation. A memorial mass will be held in St. Francis de Sales Roman Catholic Church in Lower River on Thursday, March 17, at 6 p.m., immediately followed by a celebration of his life in story and song at the Riverdale Community Center in Lower River. The family requests no flowers, except the offering of a single rose from those who wish to bring one - a vase will be provided. Donations may be made in memory of Francis to the Strait Richmond Health Care Foundation, Nova Scotia Drug Dependency, Crohns and Colitis Foundation of Canada, Maritime Region or Riverdale Community Centre. Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at: www.haverstocks.com 'If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me fast.' (Psalm 139:9). Love you forever!