Kevin Cornelius McNamara
Born: February 12th, 1946
Passed on: May 1st, 2017
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Kevin C. McNamara, a loving husband and father on Monday, May 1, 2017.
Kevin was born in Glace Bay on February 12, 1946. He was the son of Thompson and Mary (Gibson) McNamara.
Kevin attended St. Michael’s High School and was very active in the scouting movement, where he attained the Queen Scout designation.
Kevin went to work in his early years at Phalen’s Bakery in Glace Bay, where he met many people, which inspired him to the career path he chose. He worked on the S&L Railway for a number of years and his career path took him to Sydney Steel. Kevin found his passion returning to school and upgrading his education, obtaining a Bachelor of Business Administration from Saint Francis Xavier University via the Distance Program in 1981. He continued his studies and obtained a Bachelor of Social Work from Dalhousie University in 1985. Kevin worked in Addiction Services for over 30 years, where he touch many lives, retiring in 2003. Kevin was a very active member of NSGEU and the Cape Breton District Labour Council, where he was a great advocate for worker’s rights. Kevin was actively involved in the local Militia Medical Company, where he achieved the rank of 2nd Lieutenant in 1990. He was also involved in the United Way and Big Brothers/Big Sisters, as well as the Sydney Pensioners Club.
Kevin is survived by his wife, Diane (Crawford) McNamara; their four daughters, Christina ‘Tina’ (Danny) Roney, Halifax, Dana McNamara-Morse, Kingston, NS, Karen (Pat) MacDougall, Sydney River and Maureen, Westmount; grandchildren, Aiden, Keighan, Rhylan, Dawn, Breigha, Kevin, Michaela and Merrick; three great-grandchildren, Camden, Raelyn and Jayse. He is also survived by his brothers, Leo, Charlie and his twin brother, Kieran, as well as his sister, Colleen MacDonald.
Besides his parents, Kevin was predeceased by his son-in-law, David Morse.
Special thanks to Dr. William Harless, who inspired him on every visit, the palliative care team and the VON.
Visitation will take place at Sydney Memorial Chapel on Thursday, May 4 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Theresa’s Church on Friday 11 a.m., with Rev. Dennis Lamey officiating. Interment will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia.
Words of comfort can be sent to the family at www.sydneymemorialchapel.ca or e-mail sydneymemorialchapel@ns.sympatico.ca.
