David McNamara
Lieu de naissance : Sydney Mines
Lieu de décès : Halifax, Nouvelle Ecosse, Canada
It is with heavy hearts and deep sadness that we announce the premature passing of our dear friend, David Owen McNamara (63) of Halifax.
Born in Sydney Mines, David was the son of the late Thomas and Joyce (Wilson) McNamara.
The last surviving member of his immediate family, David was predeceased by his sister Ellen in infancy. David is survived by his Aunt, Mary Quirk, and several cousins.
David received his Bachelor’s Degree in business administration (Class of 1974) from St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish (wearing his ring with pride) and his MBA from the University of New Hampshire. As a youth, David developed a love of sports, as a goaltender in minor league hockey, a catcher in minor league baseball and attended numerous sporting events with his father, Tommy, including boxing, horse racing and his favourite baseball. David was ecstatic with the recent World Series success of his Boston Red Sox, regularly bragging to his friends in Toronto.
David loved Nova Scotia and especially his beloved Halifax. A true ambassador for his city and his province, David was awarded Destination Halifax’s Ambassador Award in 2006 for his determination in attracting the Canadian Association of Business Incubation’s (CABI) 15th Annual Conference to Halifax. Destination Halifax presents the Ambassador Award to individuals who truly act as ambassadors by promoting Halifax as a destination of choice for meetings and conventions. Throughout his life David continually personified all of the attributes of a genuine Halifax Ambassador.
Recently retired after 43 years of dedicated service, primarily with the Province, David was the well-known VP of Incubation at Innovacorp where he championed a myriad of business start-ups and nurtured the careers and personal growth of his many coworkers. David’s exceptional efforts were recognized internationally in 2011 when Innovacorp’s Incubation Program was chosen Incubator-of-the-Year (from amongst organizations in over 60 countries) by the National Business Incubation Association (NBIA), the world’s leading organization advancing business incubation and entrepreneurship. In 2012 his efforts were recognized nationally when the program was chosen CABI’s Incubator-of-the-Year award winner. A mentor and coach to many through his work at Innovacorp, President of both the Entrepreneur's Forum and the Canadian Association of Business Incubation (CABI), David was highly respected for his expertise throughout North America and beyond. David provided strong leadership and unequaled vision during his years as CABI’s President, leading CABI from a fledgling volunteer managed organization to a national presence with a paid staff and full time director. CABI bestowed an award of merit to David in 2012, honouring his achievements in transforming Innovacorp into a model program for business incubation and for his continuing leadership within the Canadian Business Incubation Industry. Amongst his many international activities, David spearheaded an international incubation training delegation to Jamaica for CIDA in 2000, and he was the former director of the Canadian Swedish Business Association and the Swedish-Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
David's passion for his work locally involved nurturing local success story businesses such as Ocean Nutrition Canada, Immunovaccine, MilAero, and countless others. The creation of the Technology Innovation Centre in Dartmouth, the recapitalization of the Bioscience Enterprise Centre on the Halifax waterfront and the new Innovacorp Enterprise Centre on Summer Street which he developed from its concept stage through to becoming the home for some of the most promising local bioscience start-ups were living proof of his vision.
While being very private, the Cape Breton native was an extremely popular individual who was always meticulously dressed, had an infectious sense of humour, and loved downtown Halifax, where he was a regular at many of the restaurants supporting a following of waiters and waitresses across the city and beyond. An avid and accomplished golfer, David spent many hours at both the original and new Ashburn with his friends and business associates, always looking forward to his regular weekend foursome.
David will be truly missed by his numerous colleagues at the Canadian Association of Business Incubation, Innovacorp and Entrepreneur’s Forum; especially his closest friends whom he cherished and had a deep and lasting influence. A celebration of life will be held at a later date in Halifax, as well as the internment of his ashes which will take place in Sydney Mines. In true McNamara fashion, David would not want people to grieve his passing but would want us to celebrate his life by lifting a glass of ‘red’ to his memory. Donations in his memory may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.sydneymemorialchapel.ca or e-mail sydneymemorialchapel@ns.sympatico.ca.
