Obituary of John E. McNamara

John E. "Jack" McNamara, Jr., 68, of Truax Road, died peacefully Wednesday, July 2nd , 2008 at St. Mary's Hospital with his family by his side, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born on October 13, 1939 he was the son of the late John and Mary Koch McNamara Sr. A lifelong area resident, he attended city schools and a graduate of the former Wilbur H. Lynch High School. John was employed by the Laborers Local # 157 in Schenectady. He also worked for various businesses such as Shelly's Market, Adirondack Knitting, Santos Construction and Hardies Electric. He was of the Roman Catholic faith and will be missed by all who knew him. He loved the outdoors, was a dedicated NY Yankee Fan, spending time with his family and was a gifted carpenter. On October 17, 1959 he was united in marriage to Elizabeth A. Swanker. That union lasted 44 years until her passing on May 27, 2003. Survivors include his children, Michael J. McNamara of Fort Johnson and Michele B. Auriemma and her husband Michael of Amsterdam;daughter-in-law, Kelly McNamara of Glaway; brothers, Thomas and his wife Diane of Amsterdam, Edward and his wife Sue of Perth, William and his wife Pat of Schenectady, Donald and his wife Doreen of Glenville, Peter and his wife Jan of Johnstown and Paul McNamara of Hilton Head, SC; sisters, Agnes Rogoski and her husband Joe of Amsterdam, Maureen Rasco and her husband Bill of New Jersey, Rosemary Beebe and her husband Craig of Gloversville, Kathleen Friday and her husband Peter of Amsterdam; brothers in law, James Swanker and his wife Jeanette and Robert Swanker and his wife Judy, all of Tribes Hill; a sister in law, Caroline Baker and her husband John of Tampa, FL; one aunt, Nora Hardies of Amsterdam; a special cousin and lifelong friend, Sean Hardies of Amsterdam; grandchildren, Dr. Jennifer McNamara, Michael McNamara, Heather McNamara, Nicholas Auriemma, Katie Capone and her husband John; one great granddaughter, Giana Capone; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. A Service of Remembrance will take place on Monday, July 7, 2008 at 7 o'clock at the Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Avenue, Amsterdam. Relatives and friends are invited and may call from 4 until 7 at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Community Hospice of Amsterdam or Dr. Sheridan's Avon Breast Cancer Association in care of the funeral home office.