Roger J. McNamara, 86 of Woodbridge and Somers Point, N.J. passed away at home on Tuesday, March 3, 2020. He was surrounded by the love of family and friends.
Visitation will be at St John Vianney RC Church 420 Inman Ave Colonia, NJ on Friday, March 6th from 10AM-11AM and a funeral mass will directly follow at 11AM. Interment will follow at St. Gertrudes Cemetery 53 Inman Ave Colonia, NJ.
Born to Rodger and Catherine (Kitty) McNamara in New York City in 1933, Roger was raised in The Bronx, NY. He was a graduate of Cardinal Hayes High School and of Manhatten College where he received a BS in Civil Engineering. Upon graduation, Roger was employed by the US Core Of Engineers on the NIKE Missile Project. He then transferred to General Services Administration in New York City retiring in 1988 as Deputy Director of Design and Construction. He then worked at the NY Port Authority retiring in February 2002.
He met his loving wife, Catherine (McMahon) at The Osprey in Manasquan, NJ on Memorial Day Weekend 1965. They were married in 1966 and lived in Riverdale, NY, Spotswood, NJ, Colonia, NJ, Somers Point, NJ, and Woodbridge, NJ.
Roger was a communicant of St John Vianney RC Church, Colonia, NJ and of St James RC Church, Woodbridge, NJ. He was a Eucharistic Minister. He belonged to the Knights of Columbus 6571 for may years and served as Grand Knight. A long time New York Giant fan, Roger had season tickets that began at the Polo Grounds in 1956. He was proud of his Irish heritage and thoroughly enjoyed his travels back to County Clare and Cavan to visit his parent's birthplace.
Most of all, Roger was a FANTASTIC husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather, and friend. A TRUE FAMILY MAN, Roger dedicated himself to loving, encouraging, guiding, and providing for his family. He was present for every family occasion and took on his role of patriarch with love and pride.
He was predeceased by his parents, Rodger and Catherine (Kitty) McNamara, his brother, John P. McNamara, brothers in law, Anthony P. McMahon, John P. Bohrman, John M. Smith, and sister in law, Mary H. Smith. Surviving is his loving wife of 53 years, Cathy, his two daughters, MaryKay Nigro and her husband, Tony, of South Plainfield, Rosemary Tittel, and her husband Joe of Colonia, his brother Jim of Pt Pleasant Beach, sister Mary of Florida, and four grandsons, Joseph, Anthony, Liam, and Matthew.
Also surviving are several brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.
Flowers CANNOT be accepted due to the Lenten tradition. In lieu of flowers, donations in Roger's name may be made to The Center for Hope & Hospice Palliative Care 1900 Raritan Road, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076.
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