In Memory
James Edward McNamara
Aug. 30, 1944 – Nov. 1, 1972
James E. McNamara, 28, of 426 Niles Ave., Mishawaka, manager of the South Bend Park Department Natatorium, died at 5:45 p.m. Wednesday in Memorial Hospital of head injuries received in a bicycle accident Monday.
McNamara was admitted to the intensive care unit of the hospital Monday afternoon after he was thrown from his bicycle at Wayne St. and Lafayette Blvd. Police said McNamara, an amateur bicycle racer, was riding a five-speed Italian bicycle northbound on Lafayette Blvd. when he attempted to avoid a road barricade. The bicycle struck a curb and threw McNamara about 26 feet. He struck his head on the pavement and fractured his skull when he fell. He was taken to the hospital in a Fire Department ambulance.
McNamara was born on Aug. 30, 1944, in South Bend and had lived here until 1966. He moved back to South Bend in June from Kenner, La., a suburb of New Orleans.
McNamara taught social studies and coached swimming in New Orleans parochial and public high schools from 1968 to 1972. He also managed a private swimming club two years, and during the summer of 1972, supervised swimming pools operated by the South Bend Park Department.
On Dec. 28, 1965, in New Orleans, he married Marie Gwendolyn Greene, who survives, along with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John H. McNamara Sr. His father was principal of South Bend’s Washington High School from 1952 to 1965.
Also surviving are two sons, Michael James and David Edward, both at home; two brothers, John H. Jr. of Oberlin, Ohio, and Patrick J. of Mishawaka and three sisters, Miss Angela M. McNamara of Dublin, Ireland, Mrs. James R. Daugherty of Jackson, Mich., and Miss Cynthia M. McNamara of South Bend.
McNamara attended the University of Notre Dame and St. Edward’s University, Austin, Tex., and graduated from St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, Tex., in 1967. He and his wife organized the Valley Wheelers Bicycle Club in South Bend.
Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Rev. Donald Guertin, C.S.C., pastor and Rev. Ronald Whitlow, Chalmette, La., officiating. Burial will be in Cedar Grove Cemetery.
Friends may call from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday in McGann’s Funeral Home.
05/25/2021 DEC
Information from Cynthia M McNamara Brosnan 08/04/2019 JFC
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