Thomas Francis McNamara, Ph.D

April 13, 2019

CHARLOTTE – Thomas Francis McNamara, PhD, 91,  died peacefully on Saturday evening, April 13, 2019. He was born on January 26, 1928 in Brooklyn, NY, son of Thomas and Georgeanna Costello McNamara.

Dr. McNamara served in the US Army during the Korean War.  Following his military service, he received a BS degree from Manhattan College, a MA from Hofstra University and a PhD from Catholic University of America.  He was a scientist who held 19 U.S. Patents and following a career with Warner Lambert Company, he became a Dean and Professor at SUNY Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine. 

Dr. McNamara was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia Ann McNamara who died in 2002, his parents, a brother, Raymond McNamara, and a son, Thomas McNamara.

He is survived by a son and three daughters, Michael McNamara and his wife, Lesli of Charlotte, Mary Ward and her husband, Ron of Burke, VA, Carolyn Pierce and her husband, Kelvin of Heuvelton, NY and Georgina Cranston and her husband, Michael of Greencastle, PA; grandchildren, Brian, Kevin and  Laura McNamara, Virginia, Amanda and James Ward, Reginald, Connor, Reilly, Carter, Maureen, Meaghan and Michael Pierce and Emma and Bridgette Cranston; two great-grandchildren, Lucas Shah and Etta Proctor; and a brother, Edward McNamara and his wife, Mary Ann of Lynbrook, NY .

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Noon on Wednesday, April 17, 2019 at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, 7095 Waxhaw Highway, Lancaster, SC.  The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 6:00 until 7:30 at Kenneth Poe Services in Charlotte.

Burial will be in the Holy Rood Cemetery in Westbury, NY on Saturday, April 27, 2019. 

Memorials may be sent to the donor’s choice in memory of Dr. McNamara.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences can be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.

 

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  • Joyce Rayburn and Katherine Lord

    Carolyn, Kelvin and Family, Sorry to hear your father passed away. All of you are in our prayers.

  • Rene Martin

    Dr. Mc. Was a caring boss. He was always pleasant and helped you in any way. He will never be forgotten. He loved his golf.

    Condolences to his family.

    Rene

  • Patricia Calia

    On a cold winter day back in 1984, I walked into the office of Dr. Thomas Mc Namara for my first job interview at Stony Brook University in the Department of Oral Biology and Pathology. I was a bit nervous, but immediately Dr. McNamara made me feel comfortable and at ease. The interview went very well as I was soon offered the position. He was a true gentleman who had a warm and kind personality. Aside from his brilliant work as a scientist, he also loved teaching and mentoring the dental students and was well liked and admired by many. But above all, he cherished his family and has many happy ‘family’ moments of which he proudly shared. God bless him and his loving family and grant them peace.

  • Nangavaram S Ramamurthy

    Very sorry to hear we lost our esteemed colleague and true friend. Dr. Tom McNamara who was our best friend at the Stony Brook University Dental School.
    He was a beloved teacher to the Dental students, a friend and adviser to all his colleagues and admired by administrative staff at the Dental school. He was one of three inventor of drug Periostat a first and only FDA approved drug for gum disease.He was a born leader and he loves to tell jokes. We will miss him. with all his good service to the community, the Lord has a special space for him in heaven.

  • Polly, Roger, and Alexis Michael

    Carolyn, Kelvin, and family we are so sorry for your loss. You are always in our prayers and hearts.