Timothy I. McNamara, 86

Timothy Ian McNamara, 86, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on June 1, 2024, at St. Mark’s Living in Austin, Minnesota.

Tim, who is best known as Dad, Papa, Uncle Tim and Mr. Mac, was loved by all who knew him and made lifelong friends wherever he lived from Chicago’s Southside to Elk Grove Village, Illinois, to Austin, Minnesota. He was a shining example of what it means to be a good son, brother, husband, father, uncle, godfather, grandfather and friend. A great storyteller, Tim will be remembered for his sense of humor which he kept to the very end.

His pride and joy were his marriage, family and grandchildren. His greatest reward was seeing his children and grandchildren grow and build their own lives. As Papa, he held the babies when they slept and made them giggle when they were toddlers. As they grew, he was thrilled to go to games, meets, concerts and sacraments. Along the way, he gave them encouragement, love and insight. He celebrated every success and milestone, big and small, and had a special relationship with each of his seven grandchildren.

He was born on January 29, 1938, to John and Marie McNamara in Chicago, Illinois. After graduating from Mount Carmel High School in 1955, he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Loras College, Dubuque, Iowa, in 1960. From 1960 to 1966, he served in the Marines for six months active duty and five years in the reserves.

He married the love of his life Helene “Lynn” McInerney on December 26, 1964, at St. Giles Catholic Church in Oak Park, Illinois. Happily married for 59 years, they raised three children, Tim, Marie and Amy in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. The home was filled with laughter and when there were tears, he was there with a handkerchief and a big shoulder. Their life was punctuated by family dinners, Sunday Mass, and rowdy gatherings with extended family and friends. He volunteered, coached and attended every sport and school event. He was everyone’s “Dad” and loved making his famous scrambled eggs for a full house on Saturday mornings.

Some of his fondest memories are family vacations, annual Loras College golf tournaments in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, and Cubs games at Wrigley Field. He was always the life of the party. No wedding reception was complete until Tim and Lynn did The Twist.

He had a long and successful career in packaging sales. One of his Wrigley’s Chewing Gum packages is in the Smithsonian. In 2004, Tim and Lynn moved to Austin, Minnesota, to be close to their daughters. In retirement, Tim earned his real estate license and was a realtor for Moline Realty and Sterling Real Estate, Austin, Minnesota. He was also the president of their homeowner’s association.

He was an excellent golfer, known for his long game, and had many good rounds with friends and family at South Shore and Ridge Country Clubs in Chicago and the Austin Country Club, where he was a member. In his younger years, he played Chicago’s game – 16-inch softball – and was inducted into the Chicago 16-inch Softball Hall of Fame. An avid sports fan, especially of the Chicago Cubs and Bears, he started the day with the sports page and the daily crossword puzzle.

Tim is survived by his wife, Lynn McNamara; son, Timothy (Barbara) McNamara; daughter, Marie (Dan) Wood; daughter, Amy (Paul) Sheehan; grandchildren, Patrick and Molly Sheehan; Katie and Timmy McNamara; Anne, Margo and Danny Wood; brother-in-law, Joe and (Ruth) McInerney; brother-in-law, John (Nancy) McInerney; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Jack, James and Tom McNamara.

A visitation will be held at 2 p.m., followed by a memorial service at 3 p.m. on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary, with Deacon John Kluczny officiating. A reception will follow.

The family is grateful for the kind and caring nurses and staff of St. Mark’s Living and Mayo Clinic Health System Hospice Care. Memorial donations to St. Mark’s Living and Mayo Clinic Health System Hospice Care in Austin, Minnesota, are welcome.

Arrangements by Clasen-Jordan Mortuary